Lithi Group Shuts Five Gazipur Garment Factories Indefinitely

The management of Lithi Group has announced the indefinite closure of five of its ready-made garment factories in Gazipur, citing severe financial hardship and persistent operational challenges. This sudden decision has left approximately 2,500 workers jobless overnight. Closure notices were officially posted on the main gates of the manufacturing units located in the Bagher Bazar area of Gazipur Sadar Upazila on Wednesday.

The affected facilities comprise Apparel-21 Limited, Fomcom Fashion Limited, Fomcom Dyeing Limited, Fomcom Printing Limited, and Fomcom Knitting Limited. In response to the shutdown, hundreds of displaced labourers gathered to stage a human chain demonstration, demanding the immediate reopening of the factories and the clearance of their outstanding wages.

According to the official closure notices, the factories have been incurring substantial financial losses due to a combination of adverse factors. Management highlighted the disconnection of industrial gas supplies, a sharp decline in international export orders, and a bleak forecast for future business contracts. The statement also blamed repeated labour unrest over the past year, a significant reduction in the global selling prices of apparel products, and a lack of timely banking and credit assistance. Faced with these compounded challenges, the owners stated they no longer possess the financial capacity to maintain factory operations.

The management, however, offered some assurances to the workforce, noting that experienced former employees would be given priority if business conditions improve and operations resume in the future. The notice further stated that outstanding salaries and legal dues would be settled in accordance with decisions reached through upcoming negotiations with relevant government agencies and regulatory authorities.

The labour protest commenced at around 10:00 am along the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway, adjacent to the industrial complex. Protesting workers revealed that one of the units, Fomcom Fashion Limited, had already been closed since 7 June under Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006, with management citing financial distress. The authorities had previously committed to clearing the salaries for May by 23 June, but failed to honour that deadline. Consequently, workers are demanding the immediate disbursement of back pay, the resumption of factory operations, and the full settlement of all legal benefits.

Following the announcement, factory premises remained deserted, and no representatives from the management could be reached on-site. Phone calls to the emergency contact numbers listed on the official notice went unanswered. Amjad Hossain, the Superintendent of the Gazipur Industrial Police, confirmed the closures, stating that the owners chose to suspend operations due to multi-faceted business and financial constraints.

Government regulatory bodies have stepped in to mediate the escalating dispute. Speaking to our representative, Engineer M.M. Mamun-or-Rashid, the Deputy Inspector General of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) in Gazipur, stated that an urgent tripartite meeting is being arranged at the DIFE office in Tongi. He expressed optimism that the upcoming discussion, involving factory owners, labour leaders, and administrative officials, would yield a swift and fair resolution regarding the unpaid wages.