Dhaka EPZ continues to experience disruptions due to protests by jobseekers.

 

Activities at the Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) in Savar have been disrupted for a third consecutive day due to protests by jobseekers advocating for equal employment opportunities. This ongoing disruption at one of the country’s largest export processing zones adds to the economic challenges faced by Bangladesh, which has been struggling for stability.

According to Mohammad Sarowar Alom, Superintendent of Police for Ashulia Industrial Police-1, around half of the factories within DEPZ have been closed due to the protests. Transportation has also been severely impacted, with demonstrators blocking the Nabinagar-Chandra highway in front of the DEPZ, causing extensive traffic jams. Read More

When visiting the area around noon, it was observed that approximately 200 protesters had created a three-kilometer traffic gridlock by blocking the highway. The Army and Ashulia Industrial Police-1 were stationed at the DEPZ's main gate to manage the situation. Protesters claim that job opportunities within DEPZ are unfairly distributed, favoring women over men. Read More

A jobseeker, who wished to remain anonymous, explained, “We are not here to fight. We are demanding fair treatment. We repeatedly come here seeking jobs, but it appears that women are given more opportunities than men. We believe that everyone aged 18 to 45 should have job opportunities based on merit. If necessary, we should be trained and given jobs. We seek equal opportunities for both genders and will continue to protest until our demands are met.” Read More

Subrata Kumar, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Ashulia Industrial Police-1, noted that the protesters ignored requests to clear the road.

Anwar Parvez, Executive Director of Public Relations at Bepza, stated that DEPZ employs 79,588 workers, with 51% being female and 49% male. “DEPZ hires based on merit, without gender discrimination. Some industries, like garments, require more female workers, while others, such as textiles, need more males. For example, 80% of workers in one garment unit are women, while around 90% in an accessories factory are men. The overall male-to-female ratio is nearly balanced.” Read More

Regarding the claim that half of the factories were closed, Parvez clarified that all factories in the new zone remain open. Some factories in the old zone closed after lunch due to disruptions affecting food supplies. Efforts are ongoing to negotiate a resolution with the protesters, though differing demands from various groups have complicated the process. Many protesters left without submitting their CVs, despite being asked to do so. Read More

The broader context includes recent violence and unrest related to quota protests, which led to a curfew and internet shutdown. Although Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country on August 5, violence persisted, resulting in over 500 deaths by August 7 and significant damage to public assets. This turmoil has further hampered economic stability, with factory production disruptions and investor concerns about timely production and potential export order cancellations. Read More

As the interim government works to restore order and stabilize the economy, the protests at DEPZ continue to impact the working environment and overall economic recovery efforts.