Unaware of factory closure, dozens of workers gather at CEPZ entrance

Dozens of workers gathered at the entrance of Chattogram Export Processing Zone on Saturday morning to join their respective factories amid re-imposition of a nationwide lockdown.  

CEPZ authorities said they did not allow the workers in and that after some time they left.

A senior official of the CEPZ said unlike previous lockdown, factories have completely been shut this time, but workers were not conveyed about the decision.

“The workers were uninformed about the closure of their workplaces,” said Moshiuddin Bin Mesbah, General Manager of CEPZ.

He said apparel factories used to operate during all the previous lockdowns. “Therefore, some workers thought their factories will be opened this time, too.”

BEPZA authorities ensured the workers that their factories were indeed closed for 14 days as some of the workers tried to enter their factories.

Mesbah said though factories were shut, some loading of finished products and unloading of raw materials were taking place inside some of the factory premises. He said a number of companies were busy shipping their products for some Western markets.