Over 50 injured in clashes in DEPZ garment factories
News From Bangladesh
Thursday June 01 2014 10:39:29 AM BDT
UNB, Savar:Over 50 people were injured and one garment factory was ransacked in a fresh flare-up of labour unrest Wednesday in the violence-ridden Dhaka Export Processing Zone in Savar area.
Police and witnesses said the trouble erupted as the workers first struck work at one factory and then wildcat strike began in three other factories to press home a common 11-point demand of the workers.
The sources said the clash ensued in the morning between the workers of A-One Factory and its owner group over the demands, including pay rise, payment of arrears and other working facilities.
“The workers first pressed their foreign owners to meet their demands forthwith during work stoppage. As the owners didn’t respond, the enraged workers attacked their officers,†the sources said in a spot account of the violence.
As management people retaliated, a chase-and- counter-chase battle took place all day long in the EPZ area, leaving over 50 injured.
On information, RAB and Police rushed in but failed to control the situation.
General Manager of the A-One firm Hannan, Production Manager Jewel and workers Rassel, Monju, Anwar, Halim, Polash, Rahim, Alamgir, Minu, Sabina, Sapna, Shreeti and Shirin were among those injured. In the meantime, the workers of three other factories –Young One, Soft Text and Honourway – also started work stoppage.
The angry workers of Young One went on the rampage and damaged part of the factory. They continued demonstrations in the factory to realize their demands till evening.
UNB/ The Bangladesh Today
