Gazipur RMG workers continue protests risking coronavirus exposure
The protesting workers did not maintain any Covid-19 preventive measures, thereby increasing the risk of coronavirus transmission in the city
The workers of several garment factories in Gazipur continued their protest on Tuesday demanding arrears pay.
The protesting workers did not maintain any Covid-19 preventive measures, thereby increasing the risk of coronavirus transmission in the city.
Gazipur Industrial police inspector Rafiqul Islam said, the workers of West Line factory in the Boardbazar area of Gazipur City have been protesting for unpaid wages for several days.
They gathered before the factory gate on Tuesday morning and blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway at around 12 noon because the factory owners did not appear until then.
In the afternoon, the factories management held a meeting with the protesting workers after mediation by the police.
The workers stopped the protest at around 3pm after the owners pledged to pay partial wages on Tuesday, and the remaining amount on May 10.
Meanwhile, the workers of Amiti Sweaters Ltd which is in the Soidana Hazirpukur area held a protest on the same demand. They also took position on the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway to press home their demand. The workers stopped their protest after the police intervened and the factory assured them that payment will be made soon.
Inspector Abdul Jalil of Gazipur Industrial police said that Devine Fashion factory in the Konabari area was paying some of its workers after calling them over the phone. But the factory management asked the workers to submit their identity and attendance cards, which made the workers suspect that they might be laid off.
At one stage, they started a demonstration in the factory. However, police reached the spot and forced the management to return the cards.
In other separate incidents, the workers of Spectra Sweater and Royal Footwear factories in Tongi held protests before their respective factory gates demanding arrears wages, including wages for March. Police also resolved the protests after talking to the owners.
In the Lakshmipur area under Sadar police station, the workers of Intramax Garment gathered in front of the factory from morning and blocked the Dhaka-Gazipur road. However, police dispersed them after they were given an assurance that payment will be made soon.
Siddiqur Rahman, police superintendent of Gazipur Industrial police said, five to six garments workers again took to the streets on Tuesday demanding arrears wages, as they had done on other days. The protestors also did not follow any social distancing or other rules for Covid-19 prevention, thereby increasing the risk of virus spread in Gazipur.