In January 2025, legal charges were filed against 5,000 workers in Bangladesh who had staged protests over the closure of 16 Beximco factories, which resulted in over 40,000 workers being laid off and left without months of owed wages. The protests erupted in response to the company’s decision to shut down the factories in December 2024, citing challenges related to the economic crisis, lack of raw materials, and a decline in work orders.
Beximco’s closure of the factories has not only left workers jobless but has raised serious concerns about labor rights and corporate responsibility. The international buyers of Beximco, including Inditex, the parent company of Zara, have declined to comment on the situation, leaving workers without support from their major global partners.
The legal charges against the protesting workers add a layer of complexity to the already volatile situation, as labor rights advocates and workers’ unions push for immediate action to ensure unpaid wages are addressed, and that workers are fairly compensated. The arrests and legal repercussions highlight the growing tension between workers and corporations, particularly in the garment sector, where workers face exploitation and little recourse in times of corporate upheaval.
Sources: Beximco Group, Local Media Reports, Workers’ Union Statements.
