BGMEA, BSCIC factories open inside ‘red zone’ in Chattogram

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) have kept some of their factories open inside 'red zone' areas even amid lockdown in Chattogram.

Kattoli area was locked down on Tuesday night. As per the government directive, no one can enter into or go out of the locked down areas.

But, as the factories were open, several thousand workers of these factories entered and left the locked down area, violating the rules. Local people have expressed their objection to this.

MD Atik, director of BGMEA of Chattogram zone, said, "According to government guidelines, export-oriented factories can be kept open even if there is a lockdown in the red zone. We have instructed the factory authorities to keep running the factories only with the local workers."

Mostafizur Rahman Chowdhury, officer-in-charge of Akbarshah Police Station, said, "Many of the workers were not aware of the rules and had come to join their duty. We are taking steps so it does not happen again." 

When asked about the incident, the district administration said no one would be allowed to enter or leave the locked down area. Only people involved in emergency services will be allowed in a very restricted way.