The demonstrating workers of Tuba Group have called for a strike on Saturday at all RMG industrial units and factories across Bangladesh after police applied force on them to leave the factory compound where they have been on a hunger strike since July 28.
Police intercepted President of the Garment Workers’ Unity Forum Moshrefa Mishu, Bangladesh Trade Union Centre’s Assistant General Secretary Jolly Talukder and some of their associates when they were trying to go to Central Shaheed Minar with a procession in a bid to continue fast-unto-death strike.
They were arrested from Pragati Sarani in North Badda area at around 1.30pm and immediately taken to Badda Police Station.
Later, Mishu was set free at 9:00pm while the process of freeing Jolly was going on till filling of this report at 9:30pm.
Earlier, the law enforcers led by Officer-in-Charge of Badda Police Station MA Jalil stormed the Tuba factory premises at around 1.00 pm. Police charged batons and lobbed tear gas canisters to disperse the fasting workers and forced them to leave the factory just within 10 minutes.
About 1,600 workers of three garment factories of Tuba Group were observing hunger strike until death demanding their payment of three-month arrears salary, bonus and allowances.
The workers had set several deadlines to meet their demands. They finally began their fast-unto-death a day before of Eid-ul Fitr, after Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association [BGMEA] failed to arrange the payments.
Police said Mishu, Jolly and their associates were staying with the workers at the factory compound since the beginning of the hunger strike programme.
“Mishu announced the countrywide RMG shutdown programme protesting attack on workers by law enforcers. She also announced a three-point charter of programme,” Taslima Akter, Coordinator of Garments Sramik Shanghati said on Thursday.
On the other hand, Tuba Group Sramik Sangram Committee also announced that they would continue their hunger strike at the Central Shaheed Minar until their demands fulfilled.
Meanwhile, after the evacuation of Tuba factory, the agitated workers went wild and came to the street chanting different slogans against the establishments. They started pelting stones on the running vehicles. Several dozens vehicles, including some passenger buses were vandalized at that time by the workers.
Witnesses said the clash with police was erupted when the law enforcers barricaded the procession of garment workers led by Mishu. The procession was going to Central Shaheed Minar to continue the workers’ fast-undo-death programme.
Being obstructed, the workers brick bated police, vandalized several vehicles and tried to set fire on some automobiles.
The entire Pragati Sarani from Badda to Gulshan Link Road apparently turned into a battlefield when thousands of workers of nearby garment factories joined the agitation and locked into clashes with the law enforcers.
The situation went out of control as the concerned authorities shut down most of the factories at Badda-Merul industrial belt at that time. Vehicular movement on the Pragati Sarani was halted for hours due to labour unrest.
A huge contingent of police rushed to the spot. They used water cannons, rubber bullets and tear shells on the workers to disperse them. At least 20 workers were injured in the police action.
Earlier on Tuesday, some garment workers of Badda thronged in front of the Tuba factory as their factories were declared shut. They tried to enter the factory but police interrupted them that triggered a clash.
Later, the Badda police locked the gate of the factory keeping the fasting workers inside the compound. On Thursday, the lock was broken and police started the cleansing operation.
Meanwhile, BGMEA arranged the payment of the salaries of last two months to Tuba Group workers on Wednesday and Thursday.
Around 1,315 workers have so far received partial dues from the BGMEA till 6:00pm yesterday, said BGMEA officials.
On the other hand, State Minister for Labour and Employment Mujibul Hoque Chunnu assured the Tuba workers that they would also get the salary of July month as per their demand.
“Already salaries of two months May and June have been paid to workers. The government has asked the owner of Tuba Group Delwar Hossain to pay the salary of July month by August 10 next. He will not be spared if failed to pay the arrears by the stipulated time,” the state minister said at a press conference held at BGMEA Bhaban yesterday evening.
He said, “Delwar Hossain will pay the salaries. He must pay the arrears. No doubt, the government will compel him to pay.”
Earlier, Chunnu, Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan and BGMEA President Atiqul Islam held a close-door meeting for about one hour with Delwar Hossain at Sonargaon Hotel. Later, they joined the press conference to announce the outcome of the meeting, sources said.
Delwar Hossain, also owner of Tazreen Fashions, was released from Dhaka Central jail after obtaining bail from the High Court on Tuesday.
He was charged with homicide for the deaths of 112 workers and injuring 250 others in a fire in his factory on November 24, 2012.
The Criminal Investigation Department [CID] pressed charges against 13 people, including Tazreen Managing Director Delwar Hossain and his wife and company Chairman Mahmuda Akter in December 2012.
