RMG workers clash with police over wage hike: 40 hurt

FE Report

Thousands of garment workers Sunday clashed with the law enforcers at Ashulia industrial belt over wage hike that left at least 40 people, including 10 policemen, injured.

Authorities of several apparel units were also compelled to suspend production for the day at the industrial hub to avert any violence which costs the garment manufactures dearly every year.

Witnesses said nearly 8,000 workers of Envoy Group, owned by president of the country's apex apparel body Abdus Salam Murshedy, become violent after they found the main gate closed from outside at about 9:30am.

The unruly workers started vandalising in the area forcing law enforcers guarding the factories there to charge batons on the protestors to maintain law and order.

Later, workers of adjacent factories joined the demonstration turning the zone into a veritable battlefield. The police personnel lobbed several tear gas shells to disperse the violent workers that left at least 40 people, including 10 policemen, injured.

The demonstrators said they became unruly after they were denied entry, causing the violence. They also alleged that the police charged batons and lobbed tear shells on them while the workers have been peacefully staging a protest programme demanding minimum monthly wage of Tk 5,000.

"We don't want any clash and more causalities. We want the monthly wage for our survival. We'll not accept salary beyond the figure," a protesting worker said.

Management of the trouble-prone factories said they stopped production fearing large scale movement and agitation as they had information that the workers might ransack factory compound.

Bangladesh Garment Manufactures and Exporters (BGMEA) said a section of people have been hatching conspiracy to destroy the country's highest foreign currency earning sector. They also sought enough security for their factories.

"As part of their conspiracy, they have targeted the big apparel factories which have good labour practices," a BGMEA official said, adding the so-called protest took place despite the government assurance to increase the workers' monthly wages substantially before Ramadan.

Ashulia police chief Sirajul Islam said they used baton and tear gas shells only to maintain peace in the area.