Pacific Casuals shuts 2 factory units in Chattogram EPZ
Pacific Casuals, a subsidiary of Pacific Knit Division, has shut down two of its factory units in the Chattogram Export Processing Zone (CEPZ).
The management announced the closure of Unit-1 and Unit-2 through a notice issued late on Sunday.
According to the notice, signed by the senior manager of the factory's Human Resources and Administration department, the decision was taken under Section 12(1) of the EPZ Labour Act 2019.
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Workers had illegally halted production and made unjustified demands, prompting the authorities to close the factory indefinitely from Monday, the notice stated. All operations will remain suspended until further notice.
A senior official of Pacific Knit Division, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "There was labour unrest across all our factories about a month ago, which was resolved after the management accepted all the workers' demands."
He added that workers at Pacific Casuals launched another protest on Sunday morning, demanding additional benefits such as breakfast and other facilities.
"This disruption was not related to wages or allowances. Due to the disorder, the factory was shut down around 2pm," he said.
"If this continues, the management may be forced to shut down all factories," he warned.
When asked about the number of affected workers, he estimated that between 6,000 and 7,000 people were employed in the two units.
Pacific Knit Division owner Syed Mohammad Tahmir did not respond to multiple phone calls seeking comment.
