Gazipur RMG factories to start Eid holidays in phases from Monday

Garment factories in Gazipur will begin Eid-ul-Azha holidays in phases from Monday to reduce highway congestion, following a joint decision by police and factory owners.

Gazipur Industrial Police Superintendent Md Amjad Hossain told The Daily Star today that factories would remain closed in phases on May 25, 26, and 27 to ease pressure from workers travelling simultaneously.

Regarding wages, he said around 96 percent of April 2026 salaries had already been paid, with the remaining 4 percent expected to be cleared today and tomorrow.

Eid bonuses had so far been disbursed in nearly 25 percent of the factories, with a large portion expected to complete payments within today and tomorrow, he added.

Jalal Hawlader, general secretary of the Gazipur district unit of the Garments and Sweater Workers Trade Union Center, said most factories were clearing dues.

However, workers of Unique Designers Limited had not received two months of outstanding wages, as the factory declared closure under Section 13(1) of the Labour Act, he said.

He added that workers would suffer if the closure continued, although they had been assured that dues would be paid by today.

The Gazipur industrial police superintendent confirmed that a few factories — including Unique Designers Limited, Trouser Land, and Keya Cosmetics — were facing issues, but efforts were underway to resolve them.

Dues at Unique Designers Limited were expected to be settled by today, he said.

There are 2,674 factories in the Gazipur Metropolitan area, according to the Industrial Police.

On highway conditions, Konabari-Naojor Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sowgatul Alam said around 200,000 people use the Dhaka-Tangail Highway daily, a number that rises to 20 lakh during Eid.

Some road sections in the Bypail area under Savar Police Station were in poor condition, so temporary shops on footpaths and roadside stalls would not be allowed this time in order to widen the roads, he said.