Protests by readymade garment workers demanding, among other things, a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000 have spread across the industrial areas of Savar, Ashulia and Gazipur on the outskirts of Dhaka. Authorities have declared holidays at around 300 factories in these areas amid growing labour unrest.In several locations, workers blocked roads, while clashes and chases between protesters and police were reported in some areas.
On Sunday morning (November 1), workers at several garment factories in the Nishchintapur area of Ashulia joined work but subsequently staged work stoppages. They later walked out of their factories and took positions on nearby roads. Workers from other factories in the surrounding areas gradually joined the demonstrations.
Around noon, protesters gathered on the road in front of Ananta Garments in the Narasinghpur area. When police attempted to disperse them, a chase and counter-chase ensued between the workers and law enforcers. No immediate reports of casualties were available.
The protesting workers said they were demonstrating to press for a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000, an end to the practice of blacklisting workers and a halt to arbitrary layoffs.
They also protested against factory authorities dismissing workers at their discretion on various pretexts.
Khairul Mamun Mintu, legal affairs secretary of the Bangladesh Garment and Sweater Workers Trade Union Centre, said fixing the minimum monthly wage at Tk 30,000 was one of the workers' three major demands.
He said the Minimum Wage Board had been formed on Sunday to address the demand. Despite the development, workers at various factories in Ashulia continued their street protests to press for their demands.
Over 100 Factories Closed in Savar and Ashulia
Mominul Islam Bhuiyan, superintendent of police of Industrial Police-1 in Ashulia, said workers at several garment factories had been observing work stoppages since the morning.
He said at least 50 factories had declared general holidays due to the unrest, adding that police were working to maintain law and order in the industrial zone.
Later in the afternoon, he said factory authorities had declared closures for the day at 117 readymade garment factories in the Savar and Ashulia industrial areas.
Meanwhile, workers from several factories gathered in the afternoon and blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway at Hemayetpur, disrupting traffic along the busy route.
Over 100 Factories Closed in Gazipur, Fire Reported
Amzad Hossain, superintendent of police of Industrial Police-2 in Gazipur, said more than 100 factories had declared holidays during the day.
Amid workers' demonstrations and highway blockades, a factory warehouse and a vehicle belonging to law enforcement agencies were set on fire in the Chandra Palli Bidyut area of Kaliakair upazila in Gazipur around noon.
Clashes with Police in Mirpur, 28 Detained
Meanwhile, garment workers staged demonstrations in several areas of the capital's Mirpur neighbourhood from Sunday morning, demanding that the minimum monthly wage be raised to Tk 30,000.
The protests began at Mirpur-10 roundabout and later spread to Mirpur-11, Mirpur-12 and adjoining areas.
Clashes between workers and police broke out around 11:30 am and continued until approximately 2:00 pm.
Traffic came to a standstill on several roads in Mirpur, causing considerable hardship for commuters, passengers, students and parents.
As the situation escalated, the Mirpur-10, Mirpur-11 and Pallabi metro rail stations were temporarily closed around midday. The closures disrupted both road and rail communications in the area.
Police said they had detained 28 people following clashes with garment workers in Mirpur.
The protests and factory closures have disrupted industrial activities and transport in several major garment-producing areas around the capital, highlighting growing tensions over workers' wages, job security and employment conditions.