At least 12 police personnel were injured in clashes with protesting workers, while two persons were arrested
KRC TIMES Desk
SAMIRAN ROY
DHAKA: Nearly 400 garment factories in Bangladesh remained closed on Monday following violent protests by readymade garment workers demanding an increase in the minimum monthly wage. The unrest, marked by vandalism, arson and clashes with police, affected industrial areas in Savar, Ashulia and Gazipur.
Of the factories closed, 264 were in the Savar-Ashulia region, while more than 150 factories in Gazipur also announced holidays for the day. Industrial Police reported vandalism at eight factories. At least 12 police personnel were injured in clashes with protesting workers, while two persons were arrested.
Industrial Police-2 Superintendent of Police for the Ashulia region, Md Muminul Islam Bhuiyan, said on Monday afternoon that 264 factories in Savar and Ashulia had announced closures.
He said incidents of attacks and vandalism were reported at Pickard Bangladesh Limited, Artistic Design, Jonron Sweater Limited, Ferrari Garments Limited, Denitex Limited, Anlima Textile Limited, Al Islam Textile Limited and GQ Industries Limited.
Workers also allegedly set fire to property in front of the Artistic factory during a demonstration.
Meanwhile, Industrial Police-2 Superintendent of Police for the Gazipur region, Amjad Hossain, said workers continued their protests on Monday. During the demonstrations, protesters allegedly set fire to a police vehicle and vandalised buses and trucks.
More than 150 factories in Gazipur announced holidays due to the unrest.
Since Monday morning, workers from several garment factories in Konabari, Safipur, Mouchak and Pallibidyut areas had taken positions at different points along the highways and staged demonstrations.
Police and industrial police personnel were deployed at various points along the highways and outside factory gates to prevent further unrest.
Meanwhile, workers from several garment factories blocked the Dhaka-Narayanganj connecting road, demanding that the minimum monthly wage be fixed at Tk 30,000. However, no factories in that area announced closures.
