Dhaka, Nov. 14 -- Garment factory owners can keep their units closed if workers do not turn up for work, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has said amid ongoing labour unrest.

The position was announced after an emergency meeting of garment manufacturers on Saturday, attended by around 200 factory owners to discuss the worsening situation.

BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Mahmud said production had ground to a halt in parts of Ashulia, Savar and Gazipur, leaving many factories unable to operate.

Factories affiliated with the BGMEA and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) cannot function without adequate security and a workable environment, he said.

Fifty-five factorie...