More than 50 garment factories in Savar and Ashulia, 13 in Gazipur and five others on a one-day holiday remained closed on Sunday amid labour unrest over wages, though production resumed at most factories, industrial police and industry sources said.

Many factories shut between November 11 and 14 have yet to reopen. Some closures were imposed under Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006, which lets employers close establishments hit by illegal strikes and withhold the wages of workers taking part. Industry representatives said about 55 factories had been closed under the provision by Saturday, when production was suspended or disrupted at 147 factories in Savar and Ashulia.

Workers have protested for nearly two weeks, demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000. The government has formed a wage board, where workers’ representatives proposed Tk 32,000 on November 9. Employers are due to submit their proposal at the next meeting on Monday.

“We want to work now. If factories remain closed under Section 13(1), we will not get paid,” said Rafizul, a worker at a closed Savar factory.

Gazipur Industrial Police Superintendent Md Amjad Hossain confirmed the 13 indefinite closures, including in Kaliakair. Industrial police described the situation in Savar and Ashulia as largely calm.