In a meeting held on Saturday (14 September), garment factory owners across the country unanimously agreed to resume operations starting today. However, it was also decided that individual factories may be closed according to legal procedures, in order to protect the industry and national interests, while safeguarding workers’ employment. This measure would apply particularly if workers refuse to work, leave the premises, or attempt to instigate disturbances.

The decision came during a discussion on the current crisis facing the ready-made garment (RMG) industry, held at the BGMEA complex in Uttara, Dhaka. The meeting, chaired by BGMEA president Khandaker Rafiqul Islam, was attended by key government advisers and leaders from BGMEA, BKMEA, and labor unions.

Expressing serious concern about the ongoing labor unrest, participants warned that the instability could jeopardize the vital export-oriented garment sector. The advisers urged factory owners to continue operations and assured them of government support, including enhanced security measures, should unrest arise.

The river ports of Khulna, Barishal, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Cumilla, Chattogram, and Cox’s Bazar have been instructed to raise cautionary signal number two, as heavy rain or thunderstorms accompanied by temporary squalls from the south or southeast are expected in the regions, according to a weather bulletin.

The meteorological release indicated that wind speeds could range between 45 to 60 kilometers per hour, posing risks of sudden gusts. Additionally, other areas of the country are likely to experience similar weather patterns, prompting those river ports to display cautionary signal number one.

In an earlier statement issued on Saturday, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department also advised the maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra to continue hoisting local cautionary signal number three. All fishing boats and trawlers operating over the North Bay have been warned to stay near the coast and exercise caution until further notice.

A deep depression formed in the Bay of Bengal has brought rain to most parts of Bangladesh today, September 14, according to a bulletin by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). The depression, which has moved inland, is now centered over the Jashore region as a land depression.

The Met office forecast indicates that light to moderate rain, with occasional gusty winds, is expected across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall.

In addition to the rainfall, temperatures across the country are predicted to drop by two to three degrees.

Cox’s Bazar recorded the highest rainfall in the country, with 223mm of rain in the 24 hours leading up to this morning. Dhaka, by comparison, saw 10mm of rain during the same period.

Since August 20, southeastern and northeastern regions have experienced heavy rainfall, leading to floods in 11 districts, impacting around 5 million people. Water from upstream floods has worsened the situation in affected areas.