35 injured on fifth day of RMG workers unrest

A Bangladeshi garment worker shouts slogans as they block a road during a demonstration to demand higher wages, in Dhaka on 9 January 2019. AFP File Photo
A Bangladeshi garment worker shouts slogans as they block a road during a demonstration to demand higher wages, in Dhaka on 9 January 2019. AFP File Photo

At least 35 people were injured in sporadic clashes between striking readymade garment workers and police in different areas of Savar, Gazipur and the capital on Thursday, reports UNB.

The workers started staging demonstrations for the fifth consecutive day on Thursday in Ashulia of Savar, Bhogra Bypass and Mogorkhal areas in Gazipur and Mirpur of Dhaka demanding cancellation of the 'discriminatory' wage board announced by the government for them.

In Savar, at least 30 garment workers were injured in a clash with police in Jamgarah area of Ashulia in the morning.

Witnesses said workers from different garment factories took to the streets in the morning in Jamgarah Choytala and have been staging demonstrations since then.

When police tried to disperse them, the workers threw brickbats at them. A chase and counter-chase took place between the workers and police, leaving 30 people injured.

In this file photo taken on 8 January 2019 a man throws a stone towards police during clashes as Bangladeshi striking garments workers march in the streets to demand wage hikes in Dhaka. AFP File Photo
In this file photo taken on 8 January 2019 a man throws a stone towards police during clashes as Bangladeshi striking garments workers march in the streets to demand wage hikes in Dhaka. AFP File Photo

Besides, a tense situation was prevailing in the area following the incident. A number of RMG factories were declared laid off for Thursday to fend off troubles.

BGB teams were seen patrolling in the area to prevent any untoward incident.

In Gazipur, hundreds of workers of different garment factories started demonstrating in the morning.

At one stage, the workers tried to block Dhaka Bypass road, but police dispersed them by charging baton.

A chase and counter-chase took place among them, leaving at least five people injured.

Meanwhile, the authorities of at least 30 garment factories have kept their production suspended since Wednesday following the unrest.

In Dhaka, the workers of several garment factories started staging demonstrations at Mirpur-10 intersection, Shewrapara, Kazipara and Agargaon areas after putting barricades on the busiest Rokeya Sarani road halting traffic.