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Thousands lose jobs

Ha-Meem Group to relocate factories to adjacent buildings; production resumes in other factories amid tight security

Kailash Sarkar
Monday's arson attack on Ha-Meem Group complex at Ashulia is going to mean job loss for around half of 4,000 workers at its sweater factories.
A number of workers, who came to the factory site yesterday morning, said managing job in other factories would be very difficult as the garment sector is seeing its export decline amid a global recession.
Almost all factories at Ashulia and Savar including those inside the Export Processing Zone got back in operation yesterday.
It was a welcome contrast to the previous three days when fierce demonstrations by the workers forced the production to remain suspended.
The factories in the areas came alive with adequate security arrangements in place.
Things were however gloomy at Ha-Meem Group complex. Wisps of smoke were still rising off the debris there.
Some 200 workers and a number of firefighters had been working to clear wreckage from the scene.
Nazma Begum (not real name], who had been working in Ha-Meem's sweater industry for two years, said, "Though the authorities have asked to keep contact, I don't know if they will let me continue in myjob here."
She said her fate depends on the owners now. "It won't be easy to land another if I lose this job." Ha-Meem Group management said they will have to shed jobs from their sweater factories due to a shortage of machines, accommodation problems and dwindling supply of raw materials.
AK Azad, managing director of the group, told The Daily Star, "All three of our sweater factory buildings have gone up in smoke."
He said preliminary estimate suggests their losses would go beyond Tk 100 crore mark.
Director (administration) Brig Gen (retd) Mohammad Ali Mandal said, "We are now trying to resume production in two adjacent buildings with the salvaged machines and raw materials. There, we may employ around 2,000 workers."
He however said it won't be possible to retain the rest 2,000 workers as they are not able to work in woven garment factories that emerged unscathed from the arson.
Queried how they will go about job-shedding, Ha-Meem's MD said, "The workers would be relieved of their jobs through motivation so they understand the situation and do not get angry."
According to the rules, all their dues will be paid within July 10, he added.
Officer-in-Charge of Ashulia Police Station Monwar Hossain told The Daily Star that they had filed a case against 3,000 people, mostly unnamed, for the arson attack on Ha-Meem Group and other factories.
No arrest was made as of filing the report at 9:00pm.
The OC said over 2,000 additional police forces were deployed in the area on Monday night. Now that the situation has improved, most of them have been withdrawn.
Some 50 policemen were posted in front of the Ha-Meem Group complex to ensure security.
Ha-Meem Group MD has alleged that his factories could have been saved, had the police swung to action and additional forces been sent in.