Production at violence-hit Uttara EPZ to resume today

Production will resume today (4 September) in all factories, except Evergreen Products Factory (BD) Ltd, following labour unrest that left one worker dead and several others injured, in Uttara Export Processing Zone (EPZ).

The decision came at an emergency meeting held at the EPZ zone office conference room yesterday (3 September).

With the consent of all participants in the discussion, the owners of Evergreen Products Factory (BD) Ltd agreed to fulfill the workers' fair and reasonable demands and pledged to reopen the factory on 6 September. 

Representatives of workers, employees, and management of Evergreen Products Factory, officials from the district administration, law enforcement agencies, the army, political parties, and civil society attended the meeting, said a press release.

Workers of Evergreen Products staged a demonstration yesterday at the main gate of the EPZ over a set of demands, disrupting vehicular movement on the highway and halting overall operations, including import and export activities. 

The situation escalated into clashes with security forces, leading to the death of a worker, identified as Ahsan Habib, and injuries to several others.

The factory management provided Tk2 lakh as initial compensation to the legal guardian of the deceased worker and assured that all medical expenses of the injured would be covered, said the media release.

EPZ authorities announced that other factories in the zone will operate as usual from today to restore normal production activities and maintain a conducive investment climate.

Meanwhile, a four-member committee has been formed by Bepza to investigate the incident and determine the actual causes of the unrest.