Turmoil in RMG sector Workers-cops clash, vandalism

DHAKA: Thousands of workers of hundreds of readymade garments factories on Monday started protest in the capital, Savar and Gazipur to press their demand for Tk 8,000 minimum salary.
The protest of third day turned into a violence when workers blocked Dhaka-Mymensingh and Dhaka-Tangail highways and police obstructed them.
In Gazipur, workers started protest, later vandalized over 60 vehicles and 10 garment factories. They also locked into sporadic clashes with police.

Police opened blank fire, tear shells and charged baton to disperse the agitated workers. Four people sustained bullets injury in Tongi.

Authorities of most of the garments declared their factories shut amid the protest and violence.

In Savar, At least 30 people were injured in a triangular clash of garments workers, police and owners on Dhaka-Aricha highway in Savar at around 8.00am Monday.

Sources said that workers of Standard Group started demonstration inside the factory demanding pay rise at Olail area of Savar municipality in the morning.

At one stage, agitated workers threw brick chips and stones to neighbouring factories including Pride Group, HR Textile, Jhumka Textile and persuaded their workers to join them to meet the demand.

Owners announced leave amid protest.

Part of agitated labourers blocked Dhaka-Aricha highway at around 9.00am and another part attacked a factory of Al-Muslim group where the owners tried to prevent them and locked into a clash.

Police fired rubber bullets to take the situation under control, leaving at least 30 persons injured.

In capital, workers brought out procession with the same demand and torched two vehicles in Tejgaon area.