RMG workers block Mirpur roads again

Garment workers blocked roads at Mirpur-10 intersection in the capital on Sunday morning, demanding that the minimum monthly wage be raised to Tk30,000, disrupting traffic in the surrounding areas.

Workers from several garment factories took to the streets and blocked the intersection around 8:00 AM.

Sub-Inspector Saiful Islam of Mirpur Police Station said, "garment workers gathered from several locations in Mirpur in the morning and blocked the Mirpur-10 intersection. Police were sent to the scene."

The workers staged a similar blockade on Saturday, disrupting traffic from around 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM in Mirpur-10, Mirpur-11, Mirpur-12 and adjacent areas.

At one point, the workers gathered in the Shah Ali area of Mirpur-1, where several markets and garment factories were vandalised. Clashes, scuffles and chases between workers and security personnel were also reported. In addition, workers threw bricks and stones at a garment factory in the Kalshi area.

Meanwhile, a wage board to determine new wages for garment workers is scheduled to be formed on Sunday, Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury said.

Speaking at a press briefing after a meeting at the Labour Bhaban in Bijoynagar in the capital on Saturday, the minister said, there was no reason for workers to continue their protests in the circumstances.

-MT