Dhaka: The garment factories of Ashulia industrial area will reopen on Monday, leaders of apparel sector’s trade body said on Sunday.

‘The factories will reopen tomorrow (Monday). I urge the workers to return to their works peacefully,’ said the President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) M Siddiqur Rahman told reporters in the evening.

The apparel factories were shut down due to labour unrest in the industrial belt of Ashulia.

The apparel hub witnessed labour unrest for several days forcing closure of some 59 apparel factories there. There are reports of sacking of workers and lawsuits against many workers.

BGMEA Vice-president (Finance) Mohammad Nasir and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (EAB) President Abdus Salam Murshedy were, among others, present at the press conference.

The garment workers went on a movement demanding Tk 15,000 as minimum wage and staged demonstrations in the area forcing authorities to shut down many garment manufacturing units.