Wednesday, 05 February, 2025
Workers of a garment factory in Gazipur staged a protest, blocked roads and vandalised cars on Saturday demanding payment of advance salary and Eid bonus, an extension of Eid holidays and the reopening of closed factories.
The police fired guns, sound grenades and tear gas to bring the situation under control.
The clash between police and protesters in several phases has left at least seven industrial policemen injured including an assistant superintendent of police (ASP).
Islam Hossain, an inspector at Gazipur Industrial Police, and some workers said that for the last few days, the workers of Viyellatex in the Sataish area of Gazipur City have been demanding Eid bonus, annual holiday money and a full month's salary for July by July 26.
The workers did not accept the 15-day salary and 3-day leave on the occasion of Eid announced by the government. Police said that the workers started making these demands unreasonably, instigated by a vested quarter.
The workers went on strike at the factory last Thursday demanding these things. Amid the workers' protests, the factory announced an Eid holiday of eight days (July 31 to August 7), Eid bonuses and 15 days of pay for the current month on July 30, according to the police.
Meanwhile, a garment factory in Gazipur’s Kaliakair Upazila has allegedly been attacked and vandalised by workers from nearby factories for refusing to join a protest. Two workers were injured during the incident, sources said.
The attack occurred on Wednesday morning at Lavender Garment Limited in Kamrangirchala, according to AKM Zahirul Islam, superintendent of police for Gazipur Industrial Area.
He said, “The workers of Lavender Garments Limited did not participate in a protest on Tuesday, and [on Wednesday], workers from nearby factories launched the attack and vandalised the factory.
“Police have been deployed in the area surrounding the factory.”
Upazila Executive Officer, or UNO, Kawsar Ahammed and Kaliakair Police Station chief Riyad Mahmud visited the site.
According to workers, on Monday, Zahirul Islam, a worker from Libas Textile Limited in Safipur, was returning home after work when a group of muggers tried to snatch his phone and money in the Nischintapur area.
When Zahirul resisted, they stabbed him, leaving him critically injured. He was hospitalised but succumbed to his injuries.
Following the news of his death, workers from the factory staged a protest on Tuesday, blocking the Dhaka-Tangail highway and demanding the arrest of those responsible.
The blockade caused severe traffic congestion on both sides of the highway.
Police from the Industrial Police and local station intervened to restore order and normalise traffic.
During the protest, workers called on employees of Lavender Garment to join their demonstration.
However, the workers at Lavender Garments did not respond, prompting the agitated protesters to pelt the factory with brickbats.
The situation turned tense on Wednesday when workers from nearby factories stormed the factory's premises around 9:30am.
They broke down the main gate and entered the factory, causing damage and looting the property.
Upon receiving the news, the army, Industrial Police, and local police arrived to control the situation.
Injured workers were rushed to Kaliakair Upazila Health Complex by their colleagues.
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Workers of a garment factory in Gazipur staged a protest, blocked roads and vandalised cars on Saturday demanding payment of advance salary and Eid bonus, an extension of Eid holidays and the reopening of closed factories.
The police fired guns, sound grenades and tear gas to bring the situation under control.
The clash between police and protesters in several phases has left at least seven industrial policemen injured including an assistant superintendent of police (ASP).
Islam Hossain, an inspector at Gazipur Industrial Police, and some workers said that for the last few days, the workers of Viyellatex in the Sataish area of Gazipur City have been demanding Eid bonus, annual holiday money and a full month's salary for July by July 26.
The workers did not accept the 15-day salary and 3-day leave on the occasion of Eid announced by the government. Police said that the workers started making these demands unreasonably, instigated by a vested quarter.
The workers went on strike at the factory last Thursday demanding these things. Amid the workers' protests, the factory announced an Eid holiday of eight days (July 31 to August 7), Eid bonuses and 15 days of pay for the current month on July 30, according to the police.
Meanwhile, a garment factory in Gazipur’s Kaliakair Upazila has allegedly been attacked and vandalised by workers from nearby factories for refusing to join a protest. Two workers were injured during the incident, sources said.
The attack occurred on Wednesday morning at Lavender Garment Limited in Kamrangirchala, according to AKM Zahirul Islam, superintendent of police for Gazipur Industrial Area.
He said, “The workers of Lavender Garments Limited did not participate in a protest on Tuesday, and [on Wednesday], workers from nearby factories launched the attack and vandalised the factory.
“Police have been deployed in the area surrounding the factory.”
Upazila Executive Officer, or UNO, Kawsar Ahammed and Kaliakair Police Station chief Riyad Mahmud visited the site.
According to workers, on Monday, Zahirul Islam, a worker from Libas Textile Limited in Safipur, was returning home after work when a group of muggers tried to snatch his phone and money in the Nischintapur area.
When Zahirul resisted, they stabbed him, leaving him critically injured. He was hospitalised but succumbed to his injuries.
Following the news of his death, workers from the factory staged a protest on Tuesday, blocking the Dhaka-Tangail highway and demanding the arrest of those responsible.
The blockade caused severe traffic congestion on both sides of the highway.
Police from the Industrial Police and local station intervened to restore order and normalise traffic.
During the protest, workers called on employees of Lavender Garment to join their demonstration.
However, the workers at Lavender Garments did not respond, prompting the agitated protesters to pelt the factory with brickbats.
The situation turned tense on Wednesday when workers from nearby factories stormed the factory's premises around 9:30am.
They broke down the main gate and entered the factory, causing damage and looting the property.
Upon receiving the news, the army, Industrial Police, and local police arrived to control the situation.
Injured workers were rushed to Kaliakair Upazila Health Complex by their colleagues.
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