Cops, workers clashes continue despite new wage board

Garment workers continued their protests for the fifth consecutive day and clashed with police in Savar, Gazipur and neighbouring areas on Wednesday, despite the announcement that a revised minimum wage for the readymade garment (RMG) sector would be finalised by December.

The workers are demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000, an end to the blacklisting of workers and the cancellation of unjustified dismissals.

During the demonstrations, protesters set fire to a police vehicle, blocked highways and attacked journalists. Police fired tear gas shells, sound grenades and rubber bullets to bring the situation under control. The situation later calmed down, although more than 100 factories across the industrial areas announced general holidays.

Police officer's vehicle torched in Savar; at least 50 injured
Protests began in front of Standard Group at Padma Mor in Hemayetpur around 8:15am. At 9:10am, workers blocked the Dhaka-Aricha Highway at Padma Mor and Hemayetpur bus stand. Clashes broke out when police tried to remove them. At one point, agitated workers set fire to a police vehicle.

Dhaka District Superintendent of Police Shamima Parveen said that 30,000 to 40,000 workers gathered at Padma Mor from both sides and became aggressive towards police, prompting law enforcers to retaliate. During the incident, protesters torched the vehicle of Saiful Alam, officer-in-charge of Savar Model Police Station, who was seriously injured in the attack.

Clashes also broke out in front of Al-Muslim Factory in Ullail. Traffic on the highway remained suspended for nearly an hour, causing a two-kilometre-long tailback.

Five journalists came under attack while covering the unrest. They were Star News Dhaka district correspondent Ahmad Sohan Siraji, Ekattor Television correspondent Raiyan Bin Amin and its camera operator Ujjal Hossain, and News24 correspondent Nazmul Huda and camera operator Imdadul Haque.

Mohammad Mominul Islam Bhuiyan, superintendent of Industrial Police-1, said that factory authorities announced general holidays at more than 100 factories as work remained suspended.  

He claimed that outsiders had instigated workers to stop working.

Three platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel were deployed in Savar and Ashulia to maintain order. No fresh clashes were reported in the areas until 3pm.

30-35 FACTORIES CLOSED IN GAZIPUR; POLICE DISRUPT FUNERAL PRAYER
Workers staged demonstrations in Signboard, Bhogra Bypass, Chandana Chowrasta, Konabari and Banglabazar areas in the morning. When they attempted to block the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway at Bhogra Bypass, police and BGB personnel fired tear gas shells and sound grenades to disperse them. Clashes and chases also took place in Gacha and Basan areas.

Gazipur Industrial Police Superintendent Amzad Hossain said that 30 to 35 factories announced holidays following the incidents. The situation returned to normal after noon.

According to the district administration, 12 platoons of BGB, eight platoons of the Special Reserve Battalion (SRB) and five platoons of Ansar personnel were deployed under the leadership of 25 executive magistrates.

Meanwhile, Toufiq Mia, 20, who was allegedly beaten for recording a video of the workers' movement, died while undergoing treatment at Shin Shin Japan Hospital in Uttara on Tuesday. He worked at Laila Styles Limited in Banglabazar, Gazipur, and hailed from Gobindaganj in Gaibandha.

Police obstructed National Citizen Party (NCP) activists from holding an absentee funeral prayer at Chandana Chowrasta in his memory. Police fired sound grenades to disperse them as they prepared to begin the prayer.

NCP central leader Ali Naser Khan called for justice over Toufiq's death and urged the government to accept the workers' legitimate demands.

CLASHES IN FATULLAH, TIGHT SECURITY IN MIRPUR
Clashes and chases between garment workers and police erupted around 11am at Katherpul in Narayanganj’s Fatullah over the workers' demonstrations.

Additional Superintendent of Police Tarek Al Mehedi said police fired tear gas shells to disperse the workers. The situation came under control around 12:30pm. Several people were detained in connection with the incident.

Meanwhile, police dispersed workers who had gathered in front of garment factories in Pallabi, Dhaka. Activists of different associate organisations of the BNP were also seen marching along important roads in Mirpur.

Mohidul Islam, acting joint commissioner (Crime Prevention-North) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said more than 10,000 police personnel had been deployed to maintain security in Mirpur.

He said cases had been filed and arrests made over road blockades, vehicle vandalism and damage to state property. Those against whom evidence is found during investigations will be brought to justice.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Labour Welfare Federation sported 14-point demands Tk30,000 minimum salary for garment workers.

Its 14-point demands include a revised minimum wage, justice for Taufiq, medical treatment for injured workers, protection from harassment and false cases, release of innocent detained workers, workplace security, tripartite dialogue, reopening of closed factories, an end to unfair layoffs, payment of arrears and the introduction of a rationing system.

The demands were raised at a press conference held at the Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capital on Wednesday (November 4). Federation President Advocate Atikur Rahman read out the written statement, while its General Secretary Laskar Md Taslim moderated the event.

The organisation urged the government, factory owners and workers' representatives to resolve the crisis through dialogue and cooperation, warning that prolonged unrest could lead to order cancellations, export disruptions and damage to Bangladesh's image in international markets.