RMG workers vandalise factory in Gazipur, 10 injured
The workers of Diganta Sweaters Factory vandalised several cars on the highway. At least ten people, including workers and pedestrians, were injured in the attack
Agitated workers of a sweater factory in Gazipur blocked the Dhaka-Tangail highway today morning after vandalising another factory protesting factory closure and "termination" of fellow workers.
The workers of Diganta Sweaters Factory vandalised several cars on the highway. At least ten people, including workers and pedestrians, were injured in the attack.
Later, Basan Station's police and industrial police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. Additional police personnel have been deployed in the area to avert any untoward situation.
Rafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Basan Police Station, said, "The traffic movements in the area are normal now. Labour unrest arose at the factory due to disputes between the factory workers and the owner."
Several factories in the area have closed their factories due to the unrest.
According to police and agitated workers, the workers of the factory have been demonstrating for the past few days fearing job losses after the factory authorities terminated some workers citing a lack of orders.
"The workers reached an agreement with the factory authorities in the presence of the police yesterday. But the workers found their machines vandalised when they went to the factory early today.
Tensions flared again among the workers at the news that the factory authorities vandalised the machines to frame the workers and prepare a case against them. The workers came to the streets in a procession and observed a sit-in protest by blocking the highway," said a worker of the factory.
Earlier on Thursday, the factory owners hanged a notice with the announcement of factory closure and layoff.
The notice reads: "The workers will receive their due payments a day after completion of their scheduled tasks. The work orders will be available on 26 December. Then everyone will be called back to work. According to the labour law, the workers will be paid on 25 November and 27 December during the holidays. Workers will get their ID cards back while joining work after the holidays. Everyone is guaranteed to join the work when the factory opens. The list of names and card numbers of the workers will be submitted to the Department of Factory and Establishment Inspection."
