Bangladesh gas shortage prompts three-day break at more than 200 Gazipur garment factories

More than 200 small and subcontracting garment factories in Gazipur declared a three-day holiday from Thursday through Saturday after low gas pressure disrupted production and the closure aligned with the weekly weekend, according to a report in the Daily Star.

Mohammad Amzad Hossain, superintendent of police for Industrial Police-2 in Gazipur, said mainly subcontracting factories and small and medium-sized units were affected. Large mills and factories were expected to continue operating at full capacity Thursday.

Mahmud Hasan Khan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said it was misleading to blame the closures solely on the gas shortage, noting that factories have previously announced short breaks during periods of low pressure.

Mohammad Saifuzzaman Bhuiyan, Gazipur operations manager for Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company, said the area needs about 550 million cubic feet of gas daily but receives only 300 million. He said supply disruptions are affecting industrial, commercial and residential users.