Hundreds of garment workers staged protests in Gazipur, Bangladesh, after a factory abruptly announced layoffs ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, sparking anger and uncertainty among employees already struggling with unpaid wages. The protest began early in the morning when workers of Rabab Fashion Industry Limited arrived at the factory and found a layoff notice displayed at the entrance. Shocked by the sudden decision, the workers immediately launched a sit-in demonstration, demanding that the factory be reopened and their pending salaries be paid.

According to workers, more than 700 employees depend on the factory for their livelihoods. Many claimed they had not received their February salaries, leaving them financially vulnerable just weeks before Ramadan and Eid a period when household expenses typically increase. Workers said the sudden layoffs had created panic among families who rely on the factory as their primary source of income.

Factory cites lack of orders and financial losses

The factory management attributed the layoffs to operational and financial difficulties. In the official notice, the company stated that delays in procuring raw materials and cancellations of buyers’ orders in recent months had disrupted production. As a result, the company said it was facing financial losses and could not continue operations under current conditions. The notice further stated that the factory would remain under layoff status until early March, in accordance with labour laws. During this period, workers would receive compensation as per legal provisions, although they would not be required to report to work.

Authorities monitor situation as tensions rise

Local industrial police confirmed that the layoff notice had been officially posted and officials were deployed at the factory to monitor the situation and prevent unrest. Attempts by workers to seek clarification from factory management reportedly did not yield immediate answers, adding to frustration and uncertainty.

The protest highlights growing stress within Bangladesh’s garment sector, which employs millions and serves as the backbone of the country’s export economy. Sudden layoffs, delayed wages, and production disruptions have increasingly triggered unrest, especially during sensitive periods such as Ramadan. Workers have warned that if their demands for reopening the factory and clearing pending salaries are not met, they may escalate their protests, raising concerns about broader industrial unrest in one of Bangladesh’s key manufacturing regions.