Chattogram: Nearly 22 garment factories in Chattogram have shut down over the past year following shifts in Bangladesh’s political landscape, leaving thousands of workers unemployed.

Factory owners say the sector is facing one of its most challenging periods in recent history, with little sign of recovery on the horizon.

Industry insiders, however, say the actual number of closures may be higher than reflected in the list, as many small subcontracting workshops that depend on work from large factories have also stopped operations due to the lack of orders.

According to a list compiled by the Chattogram Industrial Police, about 22 factories across the city and the Chattogram Export Processing Zone (EPZ) have ceased operations in the last year. Of these, 11 closures occurred this year alone, directly affecting more than 5,000 workers.

Industry insiders warn that unless urgent measures are taken, including policy support and investment incentives, the city’s garment sector could face deeper economic and employment crises.

Assistant Superintendent of Industrial Police Jasim Uddin said the shutdowns resulted from financial distress, complications over letters of credit (LC) and a sharp fall in export orders.

He added that most workers from the closed factories have been paid their dues.

Worker unrest has also forced some factories in Chattogram to suspend operations temporarily.

On Oct 14 and 15, worker agitation at several units of Pacific Jeans Group inside the Chattogram EPZ led the company to shut eight factories for an indefinite period. They reopened on Thursday.

Industrial Police records show 315 incidents of worker unrest reported at 70 factories in Chattogram over the past year.