NASSA Mainland Garments will resume normal operations from Wednesday, April 8, Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury said on Monday.

The minister made the announcement after an important meeting with officials of NASSA Group at the ministry, convened following workers’ road blockade on April 5 demanding unpaid wages.

The factory had remained shut since after Eid-ul-Fitr, with the authorities citing financial constraints. On Sunday, workers blocked the Tejgaon Link Road at Mohakhali and Nabisco areas, prompting government intervention to resolve the crisis.

The labour minister said the government prioritised keeping factories operational in the interest of employment and assured all-out support from the ministry in line with legal provisions.

He also urged workers to cooperate with the management, including working an extra hour daily if needed, to help restore production momentum.

The minister advised the factory authorities not to harass any workers or employees under any circumstances.

Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin said a running factory cannot be shut down citing the absence of any individual or legal complications, stressing the need for timely measures to protect workers’ interests.

Earlier, workers’ representatives sought government intervention to keep the factory operational and pledged to maximise production.

NASSA Group Vice Chairman Ranjan Chowdhury highlighted financial and banking-related complications faced by the company and sought the ministry’s assistance in resolving the issues.

State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md Nurul Haque, Attorney General Md Ruhul Quddus, Labour Secretary Md Abdur Rahman Tarafder, and representatives from the ministries of home, law and finance, as well as BGMEA, were present at the meeting.