Factories in Nilphamari's Uttara EPZ reopen after 2 days

Factories in Uttara Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Nilphamari today (4 September) resumed operations after a two-day closure, following the death of a worker at Evergreen Products (BD) Ltd during a clash with law enforcement on Tuesday (2 September).

However, Evergreen Products (BD) Ltd, a Hong Kong-based wig factory, is scheduled to reopen on Saturday (6 September).

On Tuesday, the workers of Evergreen Products Factory staged a sit-in in front of the main gate of Uttara EPZ, pressing for various demands, including against layoffs and factory closure.

Worker killed in clash with law enforcers at Nilphamari EPZ

The sit-in turned into unrest, and a factory worker was killed when law enforcers allegedly opened fire on workers during a clash.

The deceased was identified as Habib Islam, 21, a worker of a knitting factory named "Ecu International" in the EPZ.

To ensure safety for workers, employees, and officials, production at all factories in the EPZ was suspended on 3 September.

Later, an emergency meeting was convened at the EPZ office to resolve the crisis and restore a stable, investment-friendly environment with the presence of representatives from Evergreen's workers, employees, management, factory owners, district administration, armed forces, law enforcement agencies, political parties, and members of civil society.

Following discussions, the Evergreen management agreed to meet the just and reasonable demands of the workers and pledged to restart factory operations on 6 September.

"Meanwhile, to restore production activities and maintain the country's image in the global market, the EPZ authorities decided to reopen all factories inside the EPZ on 4 September (Thursday)," said Uttara EPZ Executive Director Md Abdul Jabbar Khan.

Around 35,000 workers are employed in some 27 operational factories in the Uttara EPZ.