BSS, Dhaka

Top business leaders have urged Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus to take immediate action, including deploying additional army personnel if necessary, to ensure the security of factories amid ongoing workers’ protests in Savar and Gazipur.

The unrest, which began earlier this week, has severely disrupted production across numerous industrial areas.

According to industrial police, at least 50 garment factories, primarily in Ashulia, were forced to close on Tuesday due to the protests. On Monday, nearly 100 factories, including garment and pharmaceutical units, were shut down on the outskirts of Dhaka.

During a meeting with business leaders at the state guesthouse Jamuna on Tuesday, Prof Yunus assured them that the interim government is committed to supporting industries and protecting them from violence and attacks, according to a statement from the chief adviser’s office.

“We are determined to elevate our industries to a new level,” Prof Yunus said.

The business delegation, led by Mahbubur Rahman, President of The International Chamber of Commerce, Bangladesh (ICCB), expressed deep concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in industrial areas.

“Factories are being targeted by arson attacks,” Mahbubur Rahman said, highlighting that at least 27 pharmaceutical factories have been shut down due to vandalism.

Rahman further noted that Bangladesh’s global reputation improved with Prof Yunus at the helm of the interim government, and the business community remains confident in his administration.

However, he warned that the country’s image would suffer if the current situation continues.

Business representatives at the meeting also observed that the police response has been insufficient, urging the government to take firmer action.

At the meeting, Prof Yunus also urged industry leaders to consider labour reforms as a means to attract more orders from global brands. “This is an opportune moment to implement vital reforms. We need to upgrade our labour laws to meet ILO standards,” he said.

After the meeting, AK Azad, former President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), expressed concern that pharmaceuticals, leather products, and retail sectors were also vulnerable to looting. “If our foreign buyers take their business elsewhere, it will be challenging to regain their trust,” he said.

ICCB Vice President Naser Ezaz Bijoy called on the government to take decisive steps to maintain law and order.

Former FBCCI President Mir Nasir Hossain said, “The ready-made garment sector, which contributes around 85% of our export earnings, has been severely impacted over the past month.”

He also requested the chief adviser to leverage his global reputation to reassure the international community of Bangladesh’s stability.

The business leaders also recommended frequent joint operations involving army personnel to prevent any vested groups from further damaging the country’s reputation.

Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), and Tapan Chowdhury, Managing Director of Square Pharmaceuticals, were also present at the meeting.