Authorities at more than 200 garment factories in Ashulia declared holiday on Tuesday amid demonstrations by workers demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk30,000.
Workers initially reported to their factories as usual in the morning. However, employees at several factories, including Newage in the Nishchintapur area, abstained from work while remaining inside their workplaces.
Factory authorities later announced holidays at several garment factories, including Ananta Apparels, Trouser Line, Honrool, Al-Muslim, Sharmin Group, Deco Group and Bengal Group, according to the Industrial Police.
Following the announcements, workers left their factories and began demonstrating outside other industrial establishments in the area.
When protesters gathered in front of factories belonging to Ha-Meem Group and Newage Group, police fired tear gas shells to disperse them. This led to intermittent clashes, chases and counter-chases, during which both sides hurled bricks and stones at each other.
The situation in the Savar section of the industrial belt remained largely calm, although worker attendance was lower than usual.
Industrial Police-1 Superintendent of Police Muminul Islam Bhuiyan said additional police personnel had been deployed across the industrial area to prevent any untoward incidents.
He said police were working to ensure that no disorder or violence occurred in the area.
