Pacific Jeans Group to reopen factories tomorrow after seven-day closure
Pacific Jeans Group will reopen its factories inside the Chattogram Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) tomorrow (23 October), ending a seven-day shutdown triggered by labour unrest and production disruptions.
The company announced the decision through separate notices yesterday (21 October).
Confirming the development, Chattogram Industrial Police Superintendent Abdullah Al Mahmud told The Business Standard, "Over the last five days, we held several meetings with workers, management, BEPZA, and other stakeholders. The authorities have identified and terminated 421 workers involved in last week's violence and production disruption. All termination benefits have already been paid."
He added, "We have deployed special teams in coordination with BEPZA, the Army, Navy, CMP, and intelligence agencies. We will remain alert to prevent any further disturbance in the factories."
According to the notices, operations will resume at Pacific Attires Ltd, Pacific Jeans Ltd, Jeans 2000 Ltd, NHT Fashions Ltd, Universal Jeans Ltd, Pacific Workwears Ltd, and Pacific Accessories Ltd after management concluded that the situation had stabilised and the environment was suitable for work to resume.
The company had announced the closure on 16 October under Section 12(1) of the Bangladesh EPZ Labour Act 2019, citing an "unstable situation" that made it impossible to continue normal operations.
In the latest notice signed by Managing Director Syed Mohammad Tanvir, Pacific Jeans requested all officers, staff, and workers to return to their respective departments on time and help restore production in a peaceful and disciplined environment.
The management also thanked employees for their patience and cooperation during the suspension period. Copies of the reopening notice were sent to the Executive Chairman of BEPZA, the Superintendent of Police (EPZ), the Officer-in-Charge of EPZ Police Station, and posted on factory notice boards.
Pacific Jeans, one of Bangladesh's largest denim exporters, produces jeans worth about $400 million annually and employs around 41,000 people, including 35,000 workers.
The unrest began on 9 October when workers at one of the group's factories protested after learning that police had sent letters to their village homes to verify permanent addresses in connection with a January case involving vandalism of a police vehicle.
The letters sparked panic, prompting hundreds of workers to leave their workstations and stage demonstrations inside the compound. Management temporarily closed the plant that day, which further fuelled tensions. Protests soon spread across the CEPZ area, with workers blocking entry points and chanting slogans.
Superintendent Abdullah Al Mahmud earlier said the protest stemmed from "a misunderstanding."
"We clarified to the workers that the investigation was procedural and not intended to harass them. After discussions, they agreed to withdraw the protest," he said.
Although production resumed briefly, tensions persisted. On 16 October, clashes broke out, several management staff were allegedly assaulted, and at least 27 people were injured. The company then announced the indefinite closure of all seven factories.