The factories, A-One (BD) Ltd, Goldtex Ltd and Softex Ltd, were shut down as workers' representatives and chairman of Bepza Ashraf Abdullah Yussuf failed to make any progress regarding the workers' demands in a meeting at DEPZ last night.

Meanwhile, production at two other factories in DEPZ remained suspended yesterday as workers demonstrated demanding the removal of alleged corrupt factory officials.

Garment section of Youngone Group, one of Youngone's four factories, could not resume operation yesterday or fix any date for resumption of work as workers refused to return to work. The factory has been out of operation since June 13.

Workers of Paddocks Jeans Ltd, which was supposed to resume operation yesterday, turn up and demonstrated demanding the removal of an alleged corrupt human resource officer, two timekeepers and a personnel manager.

Workers claimed those people often cut their overtime bills and never paid full salary to those who resigned or left the factory. The workers also demanded better food during breaks and immediate implementation of the Bepza rules.

Workers of garment section of Goldtex Ltd refused to go to work around 10:00am yesterday after the authorities announced that none of the workers' demands would be met, factory workers alleged.

They set up barricade at the main gate of the factory and the officials fled fearing attacks.

The workers' demands include payment of unpaid leave-bonuses of last three years, better food during breaks and the removal of the personnel manager, two floor-in-charges and a line-chief.

As agitating workers rushed to the weaving unit of Goldtex and asked workers to stop work, the authorities also closed that unit fearing violence.

Admitting the unpaid leave-bonus, Hedayetul Islam, chief executive officer (CEO) of the garment section, said, "We have already suspended the personnel manager and assured workers of meeting their legitimate demands as per Bepza rules."

Workers of A-One (BD) Ltd did not resume work yesterday. They demanded the removal of Humayun, manager administration, and Monju, security inspector.

Meanwhile, work at Redpoint Jackets Ltd was halted for several hours yesterday as officials of the factory reached the factory late fearing workers' attack. This caused rawmaterials shortage, Redpoint workers alleged.

"How could we resume work when there are no officials to supply the raw materials," said Nazmul, a worker of the factory.

Owners and investors of the factories thronged the DEPZ office soon after the workers expressed their dissatisfaction yesterday. They feel they cannot keep their factories operational until the situation improves.

"Workers' demands are increasing alarmingly. The 11-point demand placed on June 11 by workers of our factory became 17-point on June 17 and we are afraid of the present situation," Hedayetul Islam of Goldtex said.

"Overall situation in the DEPZ is normal as production in most of the factories continues uninterrupted," said AZM Azizur Rahman, general manager of DEPZ.