Trending
News - -
Over 50 garment factories in Ashulia suspend operations on Sunday as workers stage protests for a second consecutive day, demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000, an end to blacklisting and the fulfillment of other demands | Source: New Age photo
At least 529 ready-made garment (RMG) factories across Dhaka, Gazipur, Mymensingh, Savar and Ashulia suspended production on Sunday amid violent worker protests demanding a Tk 30,000 minimum monthly wage.
Of the affected factories, 276 are located in Gazipur and Mymensingh, 185 in Savar, Ashulia and Zirabo, and 68 in Dhaka.
Although the government formed a new wage board for garment workers on the day, protesters also demanded an end to blacklisting and the reinstatement of dismissed employees.
In Dhaka's Mirpur, protesters blocked roads, set a police vehicle on fire near Mirpur-11 and hurled bricks at a fire service truck, injuring its driver. The unrest led to the suspension of operations at the Mirpur-10, Mirpur-11 and Pallabi metro stations for two hours as police responded with tear gas and water cannons.
In Gazipur, protesters blocked the Dhaka-Tangail highway for six hours and torched a jute warehouse, a police box in Konabari and a police vehicle. They also vandalised a branch of Jamuna Bank.
Meanwhile, the government deployed 10 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) under the supervision of 21 executive magistrates across Gazipur on Monday morning to maintain order, up from five platoons deployed on Sunday.
Masked protesters blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway in Savar, torching an AKH Group security post and injuring two policemen.
Police detained 49 people in Dhaka and Gazipur on Sunday over alleged sabotage. Detective Branch Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rakib Khan said former MP Elias Mollah's nephew Alif Mollah organised over 100 people, including 11 non-worker Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League activists detained in Mirpur.
Police arrested 30 people for terrorist activities in Gazipur. Nine of them are banned Awami League and associate body leaders in Kaliakair. Industrial Police Chief Gazi Jasim Uddin suspected third-party instigation despite police restraint.
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan warned of factory closures if violence persisted, and worker leaders blamed outsiders. Besides, Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Shafiqur Rahman urged immediate steps to protect owners, workers and the fragile economy.
Sources: The Daily Star, New Age, Prothom Alo
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday called for measures to protect readymade garment (RMG) workers' interests, improve their living standards and enhance their financial capacity while ensuring uninterrupted production and exports.
- Headlines Today
The government has directed all government, semi-government, autonomous, and private institutions to hoist the national flag on 7 November to mark National Revolution and Solidarity Day.
- Headlines Today
