Workers protest in Ashulia demanding wage hike, two injured in clash with police

Clashes and chases between workers and police have broken out again centring on the ongoing workers' movement demanding an increase in the minimum wage.

After a break of several days, garment workers staged a protest by blocking a road in the Jamgora area of Ashulia on Tuesday (10 November) morning. At the time, clashes and chases took place between the workers and police.

To bring the situation under control, the industrial police fired tear shells and sound grenades to disperse the workers. At least two workers were injured in the incident.

Sources said the workers joined work at the factories in the industrial area at the scheduled time in the morning. However, workers of several factories observed a work stoppage to press their demand even after reporting to their workplaces.

Around 10:30 in the morning, workers began a protest by blocking the road in the Jamgora area on the Baipail-Abdullahpur road in Ashulia. Police first tried to persuade them to move off the road.

At one point, when the workers started throwing brickbats at the police, clashes and chases broke out between the two sides. Later, the industrial police fired tear shells and sound grenades to disperse the protesters.

The two workers injured in the clash are Alamgir Hossain and Rafia Begum. Both are known to be workers of the Sterling Style factory.

Rakibul Hasan Ishan, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Savar Circle, confirmed the incident. He said the workers are currently agitated and gathered at various points on the road.

Harun-or-Rashid, Manager (Operations) of Ashulia Women and Children Hospital, told journalists that two garment workers came to their hospital for treatment with rubber bullet injuries. As Rafia Begum had a head injury, she was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. On the other hand, Alamgir left after receiving primary treatment.

Meanwhile, additional police personnel have been deployed in the industrial area to prevent any untoward incident. Besides, several platoons of BGB members have been deployed in front of factories and at important places to ensure security.

On the other hand, due to the ongoing workers' unrest, the authorities have declared all factories of NewAge Group in Ashulia closed for an indefinite period. The factories have been kept closed from Tuesday (10 November) under Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006.