Keya Group lays off 739 workers via notices posted at gates
Workers arriving for their morning shift found their names on layoff lists posted to the factory gates the night before.
Layoffs · Source: The Business Standard
What happened
Keya Group laid off 739 workers and employees across four factories in the Jarun area of Gazipur. Factory authorities posted the layoff notices at the main gates around 10:30 pm on Monday night. Workers discovered they had lost their jobs when they arrived for their Tuesday morning shift. Many gathered at the entrances and broke down in tears upon seeing their names on the lists.
This marks the second round of job cuts for the company in recent months. In September, Keya Group laid off between 613 and 627 workers. The total number of job losses across both rounds now exceeds 1,300. The affected facilities include the Knit Composite Division, the Spinning Division, the Cotton Division, and Keya Yarn Mills Limited.
Company leadership blamed the cuts on prolonged banking complications and unpaid gas bills. These unpaid bills led to disconnected gas supplies, which disrupted normal production starting on June 6. The official notice, signed by the chairman and managing director, also cited excess manpower. They stated a need to reduce administrative and production costs by abolishing various positions.
By the numbers
- 739 — Number of workers laid off in this recent round
- 1,300 — Approximate total number of jobs lost across two rounds of layoffs
- 10:30 pm — The time notices were posted at the gates the night before
- 30 — Number of working days the company has to pay legal dues
Why it matters
The sudden nature of these cuts highlights how abruptly employment can end, regardless of tenure or loyalty. Some affected workers had been with the factory for nearly two decades. Abeda Begum worked as a cleaner for 19 years, while Yasmin Begum spent 18 years as a sewing operator. They were dismissed through a single public notice after the company extended its initial layoff period five times.
This situation shows the severe human cost when corporate financial issues cascade down to the workforce. Workers now face a difficult employment market with no immediate income. Some employees, like Nazrul Islam who worked there for 10 years, are considering driving autorickshaws just to support their families. Meanwhile, they must wait up to 30 working days for the company to pay their legal dues. Labor organizations have strongly condemned the move as unjust.
Who this hits
Long-tenured workers
Employees with up to 19 years of service lost their jobs overnight. They now face an uncertain job market and must find alternative ways to support their families.
Remaining employees
Workers whose jobs remain intact will continue under the current layoff arrangement. The company stated they will receive benefits in accordance with local labor laws.
Skilled workers
The company claims it will give priority to affected skilled workers if it resumes recruitment. This is based on Section 21 of the local Labor Act.
What to do this week
- Keep your resume updated constantly, even if you have been at your current company for over a decade.
- Build a strong emergency fund to cover sudden gaps in employment if your company shuts down operations.
- Track your employer's financial health, paying close attention to operational delays or paused production.
- Separate your emotional loyalty from your professional employment contract.
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My take
Loyalty is an emotion, but to a company, you are simply a line item on a balance sheet. Seeing people with 19 years of service find out they lost their jobs from a piece of paper taped to a gate is a harsh reminder of this reality. I always tell professionals to prioritize their own career security over blind loyalty to any employer.