RMG workers demonstration enters sixth day

Readymade garment workers have been staging demonstrations in Ashulia of Savar and the capital city for the sixth consecutive day on Saturday demanding cancellation of the ‘discriminatory wage board’ announced by the government.

The workers of around 30 readymade garment factories of Ashulia blocked the Abdullapur-Bypass road several times as members of law enforcing agencies dispersed them and removed the roadblocks.

The protesting workers reportedly vandalised 10 vehicles in the area.

The authorities have deployed eight platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in various areas of Savar to bring the situation under control.

In Dhaka, the RMG workers took to the streets in the morning and put up barricades in Mirpur 1 and Ansar Camp areas, halting vehicular movement.

The workers are also demonstrating in Shewrapara and Kazipara areas in the capital.

They vandalised stalls and other structures on the footpath, witnesses said.

On 9 January, at least 50 people were injured in separate clashes between the RMG workers and police in Savar, Ashulia and parts of Gazipur district after the police had tried to disperse the workers, reported news agency UNB.

The authorities of over 100 factories in the areas declared their factories shut for the day fearing vandalism.

On 8 January, Sumon Mia, 22, a worker of Anlima Textile, was killed and 30 others injured in clashes with police during demonstrations in Hemayetpur of Savar.

The authorities of Anlima Textile declared a general holiday for Wednesday following the death of its worker.