Bepza Executive Chairman Brig Gen Ashraf Abdullah Yussuf has already talked to the leaders of Workers Representatives and Welfare Committee (WRWC) of DEPZ. He discussed with them their demands, implementation of the Bepza rules, reopening of the factories, security and other issues.

"I have talked to the elected representatives of the DEPZ workers and they have assured me of extending all-out cooperation," Yussuf told reporters after a meeting with Bangladesh EPZ Investors Association (Bepzia) leaders at the Bepza complex yesterday.

"Bepza is working as a bridge between the owners and the workers," he added.

Meanwhile, authorities in association with law enforcers have started tracking down those who were in the front line during the recent violence at the factories. A large number of workers, especially the males, of the DEPZ and other factories outside the zone are not staying home at night. Female workers are also passing days in panic fearing a probable crackdown on them.

The Bepza has already briefed the representatives of the WRWC what has been told in the Bepza rules and what the workers should get, Yussuf said, adding the workers would be happy with the benefits they are supposed to get.

The gap between the demands of the workers and the financial package given by the factory owners is very small, he said, adding, some units who are not following the rules have created the problems.

A committee will identify the factories that are not compliant and are not following the Bepza rules, he mentioned.

The owners informed the meeting that 83 factories out of the 92 units will resume operations today.

Some of the factories including A One Limited will not be able to start operation as these units suffered severe damage on May 31 by unruly workers. All the factories at the DEPZ remained closed since June 4.

Local and foreign investors of the DEPZ, asking for zero tolerance within the zone, sat with the Bepza executive chairman yesterday to be assured of the security measures.

"We will ensure that our factories are 100 percent compliant and that the workers get the amount they should get as per rules," Peter Bauer, president of Youngone group, told reporters after the meeting.

There must be zero tolerance for lawlessness and complete control within the zone. No-one can tolerate unruly workers or unruly management, he felt.

According to the decision taken at a meeting between the investors and Bepza, most of the factory owners will clear all outstanding salary, wages and overtime bills today. However, June 12 is the deadline to clear all dues in case of problems.

The management of A One Ltd has agreed to open the factory on June 15 and clear the dues of its 2,100 workers within the deadline.

On the other hand, DEPZ workers suspect wrath of factory authorities may come down on anyone of them anytime and they might not be able to continue or even join their work.

AZM Azizur Rahman, newly appointed general manager of DEPZ, said he suggested the owners go slow until the situation turns normal.

As the law has provisions for dismissing a worker by giving him or her the benefit, action will be taken if owners can produce proper documents against a worker.

"All demands placed by the workers are not legal and workers involved in violence in DEPZ will be identified slowly," said Rahman who took over office yesterday afternoon.

Workers thronged the DEPZ yesterday to know about resumption of production at their factories, while factories outside the DEPZ continued production amid scattered incidents of agitation.

"The DEPZ authorities seem quite positive to protect us. We and our workers are positive about the decision but tight screening of workers during entry in the DEPZ is necessary," said Asif Uddoula, marketing director of South-China Garments Ltd.

Meantime, six workers of the Haesong Corporation Ltd at Adampur in Uttara were injured yesterday after some mid-level officers of the unit attacked them in front of the factory. The workers went there to place their demands in a peaceful manner, they said.

The injured are Sabuj, Ashraf, Liton, Wasim, Minar and Jalal.