Bangladesh closes over 200 garment factories over protests

September 12 (EUROPA PRESS) –

A total of 219 factories in the Bangladeshi textile industry have been forced to close their facilities due to days of protests by workers who continue to demand “equality” between men and women workers.

At least 86 of these facilities have been closed indefinitely under the Bangladesh Labour Act, while the remaining 133 will remain temporarily closed as the strikes drag on, The Daily Star reported.

The country’s police have confirmed the reports and said that production has also been halted as workers have refused to return to work until their demands are met. However, they have ruled out acts of vandalism or attacks during the day.

Some workers did enter the factories this morning, but left the premises shortly afterwards to continue with the planned strikes. The authorities have deployed army and Border Guard personnel in front of the factories to prevent incidents in industrial areas.

At the beginning of September, around thirty factories had to close their doors following demonstrations by employees demanding improved working conditions and a change in quotas to ensure equality between men and women employees.