Nasa Mainland Garments will resume normal operations from 8 April, Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury announced on Monday following an emergency meeting with the group and relevant ministries.
The meeting was convened at the Ministry of Labour and Employment after workers of the garment factory blocked the Tejgaon road on 5 April demanding resolution of their issues. The labour minister acted on the directive of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, according to a press statement.
Factory authorities had kept operations closed since Eid-ul-Fitr, citing financial difficulties.
Speaking at the meeting, the labour minister emphasised keeping the factory operational uninterrupted in the interest of employment. He assured all possible cooperation from the ministry in light of legal provisions and called upon workers to assist authorities by working an additional hour daily if needed to restore production momentum.
The minister also advised Nasa Group authorities not to harass any worker or employee.
Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahadi Amin said a factory operating through a board of directors cannot be shut down using the excuse of any individual’s absence or legal problems, calling for timely steps to protect workers’ interests.
Worker representatives at the meeting sought government intervention to keep the factory operational and promised to maximise production.
Nasa Group Vice Chairman Ranjan Chowdhury highlighted the financial and banking transaction complications of the establishment and sought the ministry’s cooperation in resolving them.
The meeting was also attended by State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md Nurul Haque, Attorney General Md Ruhul Quddus, Labour Secretary Md Abdur Rahman Tarafdar, along with representatives from the Home, Law, and Finance ministries and BGMEA.
