Crime rises in Gazipur with unemployment
The closure of 72 factories has left 73,000 people unemployed, pushing many young people into drugs and crime. In six months, 1,600 people have been arrested for crimes such as robbery and assault, half of them unemployed. Experts call for action in what was an Awami League stronghold, where some groups are now sowing chaos to destabilise the entire region.
Gazipur (AsiaNews) – Rakib, a 22-year-old man from Gazipur, lost his job when the garment factory where he worked closed. After months of searching for a new job without success, he fell into despair.
Influenced by his peers, he began using and selling drugs. Eventually, the police arrested him, plunging his family into a deep crisis.
Rakib's story is not an isolated case, but reflects a growing trend in Gazipur, where unemployment is pushing many young people into crime.
Gazipur, once a thriving industrial hub in Dhaka Division, is now facing a surge in crime.
According to the Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP), 1,600 people have been arrested for robbery and assault in the last six months alone. Alarmingly, more than 800 of them are unemployed workers from closed garment and other factories.
Experts warn that the situation is getting worse. “The working population is increasing, but employment is not,” said Subash Gomes, a Catholic development worker. “Workers are being laid off, and unemployment is rising. This is not conducive to social stability or economic growth.”
Gomes suggests training workers to develop their entrepreneurial skills so that they can start their own businesses rather than rely solely on working for others.
The roots of the crisis lie precisely in factory closures. According to the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments and the Industrial Police, 72 factories have shut down in Gazipur since mass protests on 5 August last year.
These include large firms like Beximco, Mahmud Jeans, Dard Composite, and Polycon Limited. The closures have left approximately 73,000 workers unemployed.
Dr Touhidul Haque, associate professor at the University of Dhaka, explained the broader implications.
“Unemployed people not only fail to contribute to the economy, but many also turn to crime. When there are no jobs or entrepreneurial opportunities, people resort to theft or fraud to survive. This is a legal and social crisis.”
GMP Commissioner Nazmul Karim Khan confirmed the link between unemployment and rising crime.
“We’ve received information that many of those arrested are unemployed workers,” he said. “We are trying to control the situation, but the police alone cannot solve this. Community support is essential.”
The social consequences are serious. Drug markets have sprung up in over 200 locations in the district, with more than 500 active wholesalers.
Media estimate that drugs worth more than 100 crore taka (about US$ 8.2 million) are sold every month. And in the first seven months of 2025, 103 murders were reported in Gazipur, including the brutal murder of a journalist and the assault of another.
Residents are increasingly fearful. Many of those who can afford it are moving to Dhaka to escape the violence. “People are fed up with thefts, muggings, and robberies,” said one local resident. “Gazipur is no longer safe.”
Political instability is also contributing to the unrest. Gazipur is considered a stronghold of the banned Awami League – the party of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ousted by street protests a year ago – and police suspect that some groups are deliberately sowing chaos to destabilise the region.
Experts stress the need for a coordinated response. Solutions include job creation, youth guidance, greater social awareness, and political stability. Without these elements, the crisis in Gazipur could worsen, threatening peace and security in the region.
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07/12/2020 14:11
12/04/2007
