At least 33 people, including three members of the police, were injured in a clash between police and garment workers in the Masterbari area of sadar upazila in Gazipur yesterday. The clash erupted when police attempted to disperse the demonstration of Stylo Fashion Garments workers on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway around 10am. The workers demonstrated to press home their demand for payment of wages and Eid bonuses.
The blockade lasting for half-an-hour long caused a huge traffic tailback. Police lobbed several rounds of tear-shells and also charged batons to disperse the workers. The workers, in reply, threw bricks, leaving three policemen injured. Locals also alleged that the police attacked the houses of the local people. The agitated workers claimed that they still had not been paid for the month of July, though they were assured of payment before Eid vacation starts.
The factory’s Eid vacation was scheduled to begin on Tuesday [today]. Prior to laying siege to the street, the workers smashed windows of the factory by throwing bricks. On information, police went to the spot and tried to bring the situation under control. Helaluzzaman, inspector of Gazipur industrial police, said although the demands of workers’ were rational, they had no right to cause suffering to the home-bound people by setting up blockades on the street. He said a discussion was being held between factory officials and representatives of the workers to settle the issue.
http://www.dhakatribune.com/labour/2013/sep/01/33-injured-gazipur-garment-workers-unrest-0
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