Garment workers continued demonstrations in Gazipur on Monday, demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk30,000. Amid the unrest, workers allegedly set fire to a police vehicle on a flyover in the Naojor area of the city.
From the morning, workers staged protests and blocked roads in Konabari, Chandra, Mouchak, Safipur and Polli Bidyut areas, causing severe traffic congestion on the Dhaka-Tangail Highway. Police fired tear gas and sound grenades to disperse protesters and restore order.
Due to the unrest, authorities declared holidays at 150 factories in the affected areas from 8am, said Industrial Police Superintendent Mohammad Amzad Hossain.
Workers from several factories in Kaliakair left their workplaces and took positions on the highway. The protests later spread to Konabari and nearby industrial areas, bringing traffic on both sides of the highway to a standstill. Media reports said the traffic jam stretched for nearly 10 kilometres.
Incidents of vandalism and arson were also reported. More than 50 vehicles and shops were damaged, while a police box in Konabari was reportedly set on fire.
Clashes occurred between workers and law enforcers at several locations, including Bhogra Bypass area. Police used tear gas and sound grenades to disperse the demonstrators.
Some workers alleged that outsiders had infiltrated the movement and were attempting to carry out vandalism and arson. They claimed genuine workers were protesting peacefully to press their demands.
Ten platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel have been deployed in key areas of Gazipur to maintain law and order, said Gazipur Deputy Commissioner Md Nurul Karim Bhuiyan.
Over 100 factories shut in Savar and Ashulia
Fresh demonstrations swept through the Savar and Ashulia industrial belt on Monday as garment workers took to the streets demanding a Tk30,000 monthly minimum wage along with improved benefits.
Factory authorities declared general holidays at more than 100 garment factories across the industrial areas in an effort to control the situation.
In Ashulia, police fired tear gas to disperse protesters, triggering repeated chases and counter-chases. Assistant Superintendent of Police Shoaeb Ahmed of Industrial Police-1 was injured after being hit by bricks allegedly thrown during the clashes.
A covered van belonging to Ha-Meem Group was also set on fire while it was refuelling at Nadi Filling Station around 11:15am.
Workers of the Newage factory in Narsinghpur came onto the streets and began demonstrating around 9:30am. As the protests spread to nearby factory areas, authorities announced closures at several factories.
Police later fired tear gas in front of Ha-Meem Group to disperse protesters. The situation escalated into sporadic clashes.
General holidays were also declared at factories in Hemayetpur, Tetuljhora, Fulbaria, Ulail and other areas. Most workers returned home after the announcements, although some continued processions on the Dhaka-Aricha Highway and called on workers at other factories to join the movement.
Industrial Police Superintendent Muminul Islam Bhuiyan said additional police and Armed Police Battalion (APBn) personnel had been deployed to bring the situation under control.
