Staff Reporter :
Workers of ready-made garment (RMG) factories in Gazipur took to the street on Thursday, protesting against the minimum wage set by the government formed wage board.
Their protests also triggered clashes with members of law enforcement agencies on the Dhaka-Tangail Highway.
Vehicular movement on Dhaka-Tangail highway remained suspended for one hour in the morning following the clash.
Later, the Industrial Police and local police intervened and managed to bring the situation under control.
Earlier, in the morning, the agitated apparel workers began demonstrating in the Naozor and Chandana areas of Gazipur city suspending their work.
After some time, they took position on the Dhaka-Tangail highway in Naojor area, setting a tyre ablaze.
They also pelted stones and vandalised various factories along the road from Naojor to the Bhanga Bridge area.
At one stage, they tried to put up a barricade on the highway by placing logs.
Subsequently, the police fired tear gas to disperse the protesters and restore order.
The workers have long been demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk 23,000.
Despite the government’s announcement of a 56 per cent wage increase to Tk 12,500 on Tuesday, the workers from various factories in Gazipur continued their protests the next day, rejecting the proposed wage.
Wednesday’s protests resulted in clashes with the police, leading to death of a female worker. Another worker is currently receiving treatment for gunshot wounds.
Five police officers also suffered injuries while attempting to control the situation.
Following the clashes, some factories in Gazipur declared a holiday throughout Wednesday.
But the workers resumed their strike on Thursday morning, blocking the road at Chandana Chowrasta-Shibbari. At one stage police intervened and cleared the road.
Shortly afterward, workers occupied the Dhaka-Tangail highway in the Bhasan Thana area of Gazipur city. The situation was eventually brought under control with the assistance of the Joydebpur Fire Service personnel.
Imran Ahmed, additional superintendent of Gazipur Industrial Police, said that the protests in a factory in the Chandana area had been effectively controlled.
“Neither the authorities nor the workers wish to escalate the situation. Efforts are being made to redirect the agitating workers away from the highway,” said Superintendent Sarwar Alam of Gazipur Industrial Area Police-2.
Meanwhile, around 50 garment factories in Chandana, Konabari, Bhogra and Jarun areas of Gazipur suspended their operations owing to workers’ protests over minimum wage for the last two weeks.
The closed garments factories include Cotton Club (BD) limited, International Trading Service Limited, Ema Syntax Limited, Ripon Knitwear Limited, Kaizer Knitwear Limited, Islam Group of Industries Limited, Debonewar Limited, Orbitex Knitwear Limited, Mandal Fabrics Limited and Montax Knitwear Limited.
