At least 30 people were injured in a clash between police and garment workers in Savar on Saturday morning.
The workers of Surma Garments in Savar Municipality in the morning observed work abstention for non-payment of two months’ arrear salaries and retrenchment of workers ahead of Eid. Later, they staged demonstration in front of the factory premises to press home their demands.
The workers, during the agitation, alleged that in the morning when some workers’ representatives asked the authorities to clear their outstanding salaries and sought reinstatement of the sacked workers, they faced physical harassment by owners’ henchmen of the owners.
It made the workers furious and later they came out from the factory and took position on the Birulia road. Later, workers from Savar Textile joined them, sources said.
The clash between the workers and law-enforcers erupted when police attempted to disperse the demonstrating workers from the road, eye witnesses said.
Following the police action, the workers got involved in chase and counter chase with police pelting brick-bats and stones. The situation turned violent when the workers of two other garment factories (MD Garments and Baxter Brenton) joined with them to protest the police action.
Earlier, workers of both the factories observed work abstention to press for similar demands.
The workers later got together and attacked the police turning the area into a battle-field. Police charged batons, lobbed tear-shells, and rubber bullets to control the situation that left 30 people injured.
Mostafizur Rahman, director of industrial police, said police have brought the situation under control. Additional forces have been deployed in the area to avert further unrest.
He said that the workers of Surma Garments started agitation in the morning demanding payment of arrear salaries and festival allowances. Later, workers of some nearby factories joined them.
“When the law enforcers tried to disperse the workers they got involved in clashes with the police”, he said, adding that at least 30 workers were injured during the clashes.
He further said, they managed to remove the workers from the area and bring the situation under control at around noon.
“The situation is normal now and we are holding a meeting with the representatives of workers and factory authorities to resolve the dispute”, he said.
