RMG unrest continues, 20 injured in ‘cop action’

Sporadic clashes with police on Sunday injured at least 20 readymade garments (RMG) workers, who have been demonstrating for the last seven days demanding cancellation of 'discriminatory wage board' announced by the government.

The workers of several garment factories started demonstration setting fire to tyres in Jamgora and Narsinghapur areas of Ashulia in Savar, on the outskirts of the capital, in the morning.

They blocked Dhaka-Tangail highway halting the vehicular movement. When police tried to disperse the workers, a chase and counter chase took place between them that left at least 20 workers injured, witnesses said.

The RMG workers said they were forced to take to the streets since they were not paid increased wages, assured before the parliamentary elections on 30 December.

They claimed their livelihood expenditures have already increased following the announcement of the pay hike.

The workers also demanded changes to the new pay structure.

Industry Police-1 superintendent Sana Shaminur Rahman told Prothom Alo that around 50 factories announced general holiday for the day.

During the demonstration, the agitated workers reportedly hurled brick chips to bus causing injuries to several passengers.

Shaminur Rahman said they urged to workers to go back to work.

Members of police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were patrolling different roads and in front of the RMG factories.

On 8 January, Sumon Mia, 22, a worker of Anlima Textile, was killed in clashes with police during demonstrations in Hemayetpur of Savar, reports UNB.

Several thousand garment workers have been staging demonstrations since 6 January in Savar, Ashulia, Gazipur and in Mirpur areas of the capital demanding cancellation of 'discriminatory wage board'.

So far, around 100 people, including members of law enforcing agencies, sustained injuries in clashes between the RMG workers and police.