Garment workers protest over wages in Narayanganj 

Workers of an export-oriented garment factory in Narayanganj took to the streets – and some vandalised vehicles of government employees – to demand the full payment of their wages. 

On Tuesday afternoon, over a hundred of workers of Fakir Knitwear Ltd demonstrated for around two hours in Kayempur area under Sadar Upazila. They blocked the Kayempur-Hajiganj road and vandalised the factory's belongings, throwing bricks.

The factory authorities have only paid them half of their wages and Eid bonus, complained the workers demanding full payment. 

Some of the agitated workers vandalised two vehicles – carrying the district's Civil Surgeon Dr Mohammad Imtiaz and the district's Corona Focal Officer Dr Zahidul Islam – who went to inspect the factory upon receiving information that some of the factory workers had tested positive for Covid-19. 

Once informed, members of the police, army and Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) reached the spot and brought the situation under control. 

Civil Surgeon Imtiaz said he, along with the novel coronavirus focal officer, had visited the factory without knowing about the demonstration.

"The workers vandalised two of our vehicles and we were confined there," said Imtiaz adding that police helped them leave the factory.