7 Pacific Jeans factories reopen after weeklong shutdown, 35,000 workers resume duty
The company announced reopening through notices on Tuesday, while police confirmed 421 workers were terminated for involvement in the unrest.
All seven factories of Pacific Jeans Group reopened this morning (23 October) after a weeklong shutdown caused by violent labour unrest that left at least 27 people injured.
Production resumed at Pacific Attires Ltd, Pacific Jeans Ltd, Jeans 2000 Ltd, NHT Fashions Ltd, Universal Jeans Ltd, Pacific Workwears Ltd, and Pacific Accessories by 8am, according to Chattogram Industrial Police.
"Workers resumed duty peacefully and production is running in full swing," said Abdullah Al Mahmud, superintendent of Chattogram Industrial Police.
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"It's a relief that the factories have reopened and workers have returned to work. Had the unrest and shutdown continued, the situation could have turned disastrous. With 35,000 workers sitting idle, law and order across the port city might have deteriorated, possibly affecting other RMG factories," he added.
Law enforcement, including Industrial Police, CMP, Army, Navy, and BEPZA Security, have been deployed around the CEPZ to prevent further violence.
Pacific Jeans had suspended operations on 16 October under Section 12(1) of the Bangladesh EPZ Labour Act 2019, citing an unstable situation.
The company announced reopening through notices on Tuesday, while police confirmed 421 workers were terminated for involvement in the unrest.
The protests began on 9 October when workers panicked after police sent letters to verify their addresses in connection with a January vandalism case. Demonstrations spread across the CEPZ, leading to clashes on 16 October that left 27 injured and forced the closure of all factories.
Following weeklong negotiations and tight security, operations resumed today, marking a cautious return to normalcy at the country's largest denim manufacturing complex.
