Dhaka clothes factories to reopen

Many garment workers are poorly-paid women

Garment factory owners at a Bangladeshi industrial park say they will reopen their units on Thursday after five days of forced closure due to labour unrest.

The decision was taken at a meeting between factory owners at Dhaka's Export Processing Zone (EPZ) and government officials.

The EPZ comprises more than 80 factories which are mostly foreign.

Police on Saturday broke up clashes between two groups of garment workers who were at odds over a pay deal.

Security

Several industrial units - mostly ready-made garment factories - were damaged during the protests.

The owners decided to reopen the factories after the government assured them that they would provide the necessary security.

The garments industry has seen violent protests for more than two weeks, triggered by workers demanding better pay.

The government has now decided to form a committee to suggest a new pay structure for the mostly female workforce.

Last year the country earned more then $6bn - about 80% of total export income - from sales to the US and European countries.

On Sunday the government sacked the head of the EPZ for what it said was his failure to control the labour unrest.