Normalcy returns to Narayanganj industrial belt after three days of protests, six BGB platoons deployed
A normal working environment has returned to the industrial areas of Narayanganj after three consecutive days of protests demanding a wage increase. From Thursday morning (5 November), production has been running normally at factories across the district.
From the morning, normal production activity was seen at factories in areas including Shibu Market and Katherpul in Fatullah, the BSCIC industrial estate and the Adamjee EPZ.
Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md Raihan Kabir said: 'The workers are not very agitated now. If anyone comes out of a factory under provocation, efforts are under way to persuade them back to work. No action will be taken against workers unless they are involved in destructive activities.'
Five types of forces have been deployed to secure the industrial belt — police, industrial police, BGB, SRB and Ansar. Executive magistrates from various upazilas are on duty, alongside surveillance by three intelligence agencies.
To strengthen security, more than 300 additional police members have been brought in from Munshiganj, Kishoreganj and Narsingdi. Six platoons of BGB and more than 150 Ansar members are deployed.
Garment factory workers have been protesting in Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj and other areas for some days demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk30,000. Clashes also took place between workers and law enforcement during the protests.
In response to the workers' demands, the government has formed a wage board.
