Dhaka EPZ factories declare general holiday as job seekers block road

Over a hundred job seekers are protesting by blocking the Nabinagar-Chandra highway in front of the Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ), demanding the resignation of Ahsan Kabir, the executive director of DEPZ.

This has resulted in severe traffic congestion on both sides of the highway.

Among several other demands, the protesters are seeking equal employment of male and female workers.

Amid the protest, most of the DEPZ factory authorities declared a general holiday around noon, according to several workers there.

At the time of writing this report, the protesters continued their demonstration. Members of the army and industrial police are present at the scene.

"We are at the scene, and they are still advocating for the same demands today. We are trying to solve the problem by talking to them," said Md Sarwar Alam, superintendent of Ashulia Industrial Police.

Seeking anonymity, an industrial police officer told TBS that this has been the fourth consecutive day of protests by these job-seeking workers. 

One of the protesters said, "We didn't come here to fight or cause trouble. We have come with legitimate demands. We repeatedly come for jobs. Although various factory authorities hire women, they do not hire us. 

"We demand that everyone aged 18 to 45 be given jobs according to their qualifications. If necessary, give us training before employing us," the protesting job seeker said. 

Several attempts were made to contact DEPZ Executive Director Ahsan Kabir over the phone. But he did not answer any of the phone calls. 

Speaking to TBS, Anwar Parvez, executive director (Public Relations) at Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (Bepza), stated, "EPZ hires workers based on merit. There is no discrimination between men and women. The worker requirements depend on the factory type. For instance, garment companies may require more female workers, while textile and accessories factories may require more male workers."

Parvez said a total of 79,588 workers are employed in Dhaka EPZ, with 40,818 women and 38,770 men, resulting in a female-male ratio of 51:49. He also noted that Bepza officials are trying to find a fair solution for job seekers. However, when asked to submit their CVs, many of the protesting job seekers did not comply, he added.

He further explained that while discussions are ongoing with some groups to find a solution, other groups are raising slogans, stating that they do not agree. 

Parvez said the recent changes in the country have already disrupted production in factories. "Many investors are now concerned about the timely production and export of goods, fearing that these disruptions could lead to cancelled export orders, which may then be redirected to competing countries," he added.

Parvez mentioned that Bepza is trying to keep the protesters calm by showing maximum restraint with the help of law enforcement agencies.

A DEPZ official, on condition of anonymity, told The Business Standard said, "From our side, we are trying to make them [protesters] understand that if factories are closed, there can't be any jobs. Normal working environment of the industry should be maintained in this regard. 

"At least 20 people can be employed in the factories every day if the normal industry environment is maintained. They [protesters] are creating such a situation that they themselves are the ones suffering. We requested them to cooperate in maintaining the normal environment of the industry."

The official also stated that in the face of protests today, the workers in the old part of DEPZ could not join the work in the factories properly, so the authorities of 43 factories in this part were forced to close the factories. 

However, the factories in the new part of the DEPZ were open, he added.