RMG workers demonstrate in Narayanganj demanding due salaries, 10 injured

Readymade Garments workers of Abanti Colour Textiles and Garments at BSCIC industrial estate at Fatulla in Narayanganj staged demonstration and attempted to block the road demanding unpaid wages today.

Sources said the workers engaged in a clash with the industrial police throwing brickbats when police tried to calm them down. In response, the police fired rubber bullets and chased them off the road. At least 10 police and workers were injured in this clash.

The clash lasted for half an hour from 12:30pm on Sunday.

The workers said that their three months’ salary and Eid bonus are due in Abanti Garments. Despite several assurances, the owner has not paid it. In the morning, the workers went to work and found the factory closed. The workers were thrown out of the factory when they spoke to the management about it.

The workers then tried to block the Panchbati-Muktarpur road putting electricity poles on it. At that time, they staged demonstrations setting fire to tables on the road. Agitated workers vandalized the industrial police’s water cannon when it was brought to the spot. Workers threw brickbats at the police as industrial police fired rubber bullets, said the workers.

However, the workers were later calmed down being assured of negotiations with the owners regarding salaries and allowances.

Meanwhile, injured garment workers Chandni Khatun (24) and Md Razzak (33) were brought to the emergency department of the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DHMC) with serious injuries around 4:15pm.

Inspector Md Bachchu Mia, in-charge of the police camp of DMCH, said, 'When two men and a woman were brought to the hospital with gunshot wounds from Narayanganj, they were treated in the emergency department. We have reported the matter to the police station concerned.”