Production in nine garment factories in Savar and Gazipur district
was suspended for Thursday following workers’ demonstration demanding
implementation the new salary structure recommended by the
government-appointed wage board for the workers. In Gazipur, garment workers of 28 factories including Titas Sweater, Asif Appealers,
Standard Group, Islam Group, Tusuka Appealers and Keya Spinning from
Konabari, Kashimpur and Jurun areas of the city took to the streets
and staged demonstration when they found a closure notice in front of
their factories on Thursday morning. They put barricades on
different roads, including the Dhaka-Tangail highway and Dhaka Bypass
road, disrupting traffic. Workers staged demonstration torching tyre
in front of “Jamuna Composite factory” and also vandalised several
vehicles in the area. Later, police dispersed them after lobbing
tear shells. Meanwhile, workers of “Southern Netwar factory” of
Baroipra of Kaliakoir upazila staged demonstration in front of their
factory in the morning. Police brought the situation under control
by lobbing teargas shells. Later, the authorities closed seven
garment factories for today (Thursday) fearing violence. The board
formed to re-fix the minimum wage for the garment workers at its
meeting on Monday finalised a new minimum wage structure for garment
at Tk 5,300 which was rejected by the owners. In Savar, garment
workers demonstrated for implementing newly proposed salary structure
in Hemayetpur area. The authorities closed two factories for today
following the demonstration. UNB
