At least 79 factories in Ashulia, stretching from Baipail to Zirabo, remained closed today (9 September) due to the continuing workers’ protests. Md Sarwar Alam, Superintendent of Industrial Police-1, confirmed the closures to The Business Standard.

While some factories in other parts of Ashulia operated until 11 am, law enforcement agencies, including the industrial police, army, RAB, and BGB, maintained a heavy presence to ensure security in the area.

According to sources from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), factories from 68 different companies, including major groups like Ananta, Sharmin, Hamim, and Sterling, remained closed under a “leave with pay” policy. Workers from 13 other factories, which stayed open, left without working today.

In addition, at least eight factories witnessed worker unrest within their premises. The affected factories include Mandal Knitwear, Natural Denim, Knit Composite, Radiance Jeans, Radiance Fashion, Garments Export Village, Bravo Apparels Limited, and Prince Jacquard Sweater Limited.

Workers reported that many factory owners had declared a general holiday for today, posting closure notices the night before. Others put up notices in the morning. Workers who arrived at the factories saw the notices and returned home.

Khairul Mamun Mintu, Legal Secretary of the Bangladesh Garments and Sweater Workers Trade Union Centre (GWTUC), confirmed that most factories in the region, including major facilities like Hamim and Sharmin, are closed. He added that workers had attempted to block roads in the Shimultala area this morning, but joint forces successfully convinced them to leave without any violence.

Industry sources also noted that several factories, including Hamim, Sharmin, and Deco, had already announced closures. This follows the suspension of operations in at least 30 readymade garment factories in Ashulia yesterday as the protests continued. On Saturday (7 September), 17 more RMG factories in the area had declared holidays.

The protests, which began on 29 August, have seen RMG workers pushing for several demands, including the recruitment of an equal number of men and women, higher salaries and benefits, and lighter workloads.

Apple is expected to release its latest line of iPhones on Monday that will feature generative AI capabilities as the tech behemoth looks to bolster sales of its iconic device.

The company founded by Steve Jobs has disclosed little about what it plans to show off during a launch event, titled “Glowtime,” at its headquarters in the Silicon Valley city of Cupertino.

It is the time of year, though, when Apple typically updates its iPhone lineup.

Apple has a lot riding on what would be the iPhone 16 and will hope that customers will be enticed to buy the latest models, attracted by new AI powers.

With $39 billion in sales last quarter, the iPhone counts for roughly 60 percent of Apple’s revenue, and remains the main entryway to the company’s services, such as the App Store or Apple TV, which are becoming a growing part of its business.

Apple is only just coming out of a long sales slump as users increasingly stick with older models longer.

“The iPhone 16 will be one of the most significant iPhone introductions, not because of what’s on the outside but because of what’s inside — namely, Apple Intelligence,” said Forrester principal analyst Dipanjan Chatterjee.

“Apple Intelligence” is a new suite of software features for all devices that was announced in June at the company’s annual developers conference, where it also announced a partnership with ChatGPT-maker OpenAI.

In the short-term, these include AI-infused image editing, translation, and small, creative touches in messaging, but not more ambitious breakthroughs promised by other AI players, such as OpenAI or Google.

– ‘Super-powered Siri’ –

Apple also said its digital assistant Siri will get an AI upgrade and now will appear as a pulsating light on the edge of a home screen.

“Siri will be a big part of the conversation,” Creative Strategies analyst Carolina Milanesi said of Monday’s event.

Launched more than 12 years ago, Siri has come to be seen as a dated feature, overtaken by a new generation of assistants such as GPT-4o, OpenAI’s latest offering.

Apple watchers predict Apple will introduce iPhone 16 models with custom chips that can power these AI features, including the Siri upgrade.

By adding AI capabilities, Apple is looking to “shake that expectation” that iPhone launches are “just steady improvements in hardware and software,” said Techsponential analyst Avi Greengart.

Longer term, Apple could dramatically change the iPhone experience with a “super-powered Siri” working across all the apps, Greengart said.

– Pixel power –

Apple’s announcement closely follows Google, which last month unveiled AI-infused Pixel 9 smartphones, its challenge to the iPhone.

Pixels account for a tiny sliver of the global smartphone market dominated by Samsung and Apple, but Google argued its new line is a chance to answer what — after all the hype — AI can actually do for customers.

“There have been so many promises, so many ‘coming soons,’ and not enough real world helpfulness when it comes to AI – which is why today we’re getting real,” Google senior vice president of devices Rick Osterloh said at the company’s campus in Mountain View, California.

Samsung has also showcased AI across a range of its consumer electronic products as it looks to extend its leadership in global smartphone sales.

Beximco Group has urgently appealed to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus to safeguard Teesta Solar Limited—the country’s largest solar power facility—from potential mob attacks. Teesta Solar, a subsidiary of the business conglomerate owned by Salman F Rahman, faces heightened risks amidst growing tensions.

In a letter issued by Osman Kaiser Chowdhury, Beximco’s Director of Group Finance and Corporate Affairs, the company stressed that any damage to the 200MW solar park could jeopardize its ability to repay loans obtained via Sukuk bonds. Chowdhury urged the Chief Adviser’s Office and law enforcement agencies to bolster security to prevent possible destruction.

Salman F Rahman, the business tycoon who previously served as Sheikh Hasina’s adviser on private industry and investment, has been under arrest since last month, following multiple remands linked to his alleged involvement in the deaths during the student-led uprising that ousted Hasina’s government on 5 August.

The letter detailed how a mob had already attempted to attack the solar plant on 7 September in Latshal, Sundorganj, Gaibandha. Chowdhury warned of further planned attacks, citing growing unrest among local residents who have accused Beximco of land seizures and other irregularities associated with the project.

The letter highlighted that the unrest could severely disrupt the plant’s operations, potentially leading to a complete shutdown. Such an event could hinder the company’s ability to supply electricity to the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and compromise its financial commitments to Sukuk bondholders. Beximco warned that any significant damage could also result in job losses and breach of contractual obligations.

Recent protests by local residents, including a long march and a human chain, have intensified tensions in the area. Protesters claim Beximco forcibly took land from farmers at gunpoint under the guise of developing the solar power project. They also allege widespread corruption during the plant’s construction, which has negatively impacted the Teesta River.

Teesta Solar, operational since December 2022, contributes 200 MW of power daily to the national grid under a 20-year contract with BPDB. The project, covering 650 acres of land and costing Tk3,000 crore, remains a vital part of Beximco’s green energy investments, with Tk1,800 crore raised through green Sukuk bonds for its development.

Despite the plant’s importance to the national grid and the financial markets, Beximco has voiced concerns over the escalating situation, calling for immediate intervention to avert further crises.

Repeated attempts to contact Osman Kaiser Chowdhury for further comment went unanswered.