Defying a 'red alert' imposed by law enforcers at the Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) and its adjoining industrial areas, workers were involved in clashes in the Savar, Ashulia and Gazipur areas.

Additional police, BDR, Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) men blocked the Baipail-Chandra highway to stave off a strong band of workers in the trouble-prone areas around the DEPZ.

Meanwhile, a large number of workers gathered before the heavily guarded DEPZ to know about their future as the foreign investors have kept their industries closed for an indefinite period since Saturday citing lack of protection and security.

Different labour organisations also demonstrated at different places in and outside Dhaka and submitted a memorandum to Labour and Employment State Minister Amanullah Aman, demanding implementation of 11-point decisions taken at a tripartite meeting on May 24 between the government and the representatives of owners and workers.

GAZIPUR
A garment worker yesterday died after he jumped from a factory building out of mob fear while about 30 others were injured in clashes during agitation at the Zirani Bazar, Kashimpur, Panishail, Konabari and Mouchak areas in the district.

The dead worker was identified as Raju Ahmad (Robiul), a knitting operator of the Mashihata Sweaters Ltd (MSL) at South-Panishail in Kashimpur.

As the agitation in several units at Zirani Bazar turned worse, owners of at least 12 factories hurried on to close down their industries.

Divided into groups, the workers also clashed with each other, siding with and against the on-going unrest in the sector.

The violence in Gazipur began when the authorities of Anupam garment suspended production after workers of nearby Suchi Fashion Ltd began demonstration over pay-hike, said witnesses.

At one point, some of the workers vandalised the Suchi Fashion and beat up eight of its staff.

As news of hundreds of agitators marching towards the MSL spread, the authorities quickly announced a 'false' fire alarm to avoid vandalism, workers alleged.

Raju along with others ran for lives, but he got electrocuted when he jumped on an electric wire around 10:00am yesterday, his fellow worker Masum told The Daily Star. Several others were injured during the stampede.

Meanwhile, about two thousand workers of the Tashmia Fabrics at Nayapara, Konabari took to the streets at 10:30am but law enforcers dispersed the mob lobbing teargas shells.

SAVAR, DHAKA EPZ
The law enforcers stopped every passer-by and vehicle on the highways, not allowing workers to enter the DEPZ.

Most of the shops and offices on both sides of the highways remained closed out of fear of violence. Vehicular movement on the highways became normal in the afternoon.

Still violence broke out along the Savar-Ashualia stretch between pro- and anti-movement workers.

Ten people were injured in a clash between workers of the Knit Zone Mode (Pvt) Ltd and pro-movement workers from neighbouring factories at about 9:30am in Zirani. The clash erupted when workers of the factory refused to join pro-movement workers on the street.

Both sides pelted brickbats and stones at each other that lasted for about 30 minutes, leading the factory to be closed.