RMG workers clash with police in Chattogram demanding full wages

Workers of a garment factory of Four H Group at Hathazari in Chattogram staged a demonstration on Thursday, demanding full payment of their wages. 

The protest that started in the morning later turned into a clash between police and workers when the police asked them to leave the factory premises in the afternoon. 

The workers said police officials fired several rounds of tear shells and rubber bullets to disperse them. 

During the clash, the workers vandalised nearby vehicles and things inside the factory.  

Some eight workers and 10 policemen were injured in the clash but their identities could not be known.

The factory authorities have temporarily closed the factory after the clash. 

Md Imtiaz Uddin, supervisor of the factory, said, "Sixty percent salaries of the workers have been paid as per the decision taken by the government and the garment owners."

"Upon hearing this, the workers got enraged and started to protest. The workers in the morning shift on Thursday did not join their work and started protesting in front of the factory. Later, the workers of the day shift joined the protest as well."

"Around 5 pm, police asked the agitated workers to leave the entrance of the factory and later locked in a clash with them," added Imtiaz. 

The factory authorities have said the garment owners have decided to provide their workers with 60 percent of their monthly salaries. The factory is providing their salaries as per the decision but the workers are not happy about it. 

Inspector of Industrial Police Md Mia Jahed said, "At one stage of the protest, the workers started throwing brickbats at police, leaving 10 police members injured, of them, three have suffered head injuries."

Officer-in-charge of Hathazari Police Station, Masud Alam said, "The situation is currently under control. Police officials have been deployed in the area to ensure security."