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Fresh clashes erupt between garment workers and police in Savar-Ashulia
Published : Tuesday, 3 November, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Observer Online Report
Clashes broke out between garment workers and police in several areas of Savar and Ashulia on Tuesday as workers attempted to block roads demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000 and the implementation of various allowances.
Workers from several garment factories staged work stoppages and demonstrations from the morning of November 3. The situation escalated when they attempted to block different points of the Tongi-Ashulia-EPZ regional highway, triggering repeated clashes and chases between workers and police.
Police fired tear gas to bring the situation under control. Several factories announced general holidays amid the unrest.
Meanwhile, workers from different factories blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway in Hemayetpur, Savar, in the afternoon and staged demonstrations.
Most garment factories in the industrial zone had resumed normal operations in the morning. However, work stoppages and protests began at several factories following worker unrest. Factory authorities subsequently announced general holidays at some establishments.
As agitated workers gathered in front of different factories, they attempted to block several points along the Baipail-Abdullahpur section of the Tongi-Ashulia-EPZ regional highway. Clashes broke out when police attempted to disperse them.
Additional police and other law enforcement personnel have been deployed at key points across the industrial zone to maintain order. The administration remains on high alert amid concerns over production and the overall working environment.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku said there was no further reason for workers to continue protesting as a wage commission had already been formed to address their demands.
He made the remarks while responding to journalists after a meeting on the ongoing unrest in the garment sector at Savar Upazila Parishad on Tuesday morning. He alleged that a vested quarter was attempting to exploit the situation for its own interests and would not succeed in using the workers' movement to achieve its objectives.
Dhaka Range Deputy Inspector General Mostafizur Rahman said cases had been filed over incidents surrounding the workers' protests and several people had been arrested on allegations of participating in illegal demonstrations.
He said police were working to maintain normal law and order in the industrial areas and remained alert to prevent further disorder.
Dhaka Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam said executive magistrates had been deployed at different locations to maintain normalcy in Savar and Ashulia.
Local lawmaker Dr Dewan Mohammad Salahuddin Babu was also present at the meeting. He warned of strict action against those attempting to create disorder by exploiting the workers' movement.
Despite continued concerns over labour unrest and clashes, traffic movement on all highways in Savar and Ashulia was normal at the time of reporting. Additional law enforcement personnel remained deployed at key points, while police and administrative efforts to maintain order continued.
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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, 01550707296
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]. [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], Online-email: [email protected]
