Workers in CEPZ go berserk

Aggrieved workers of a Korean garment factory in Chittagong Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) yesterday went on a one-and- a-half-hour demonstration, demanding payment of their arrears and annual increment in the port city.

The workers of Young International (BD.) Ltd were supposed to be paid their arrear salaries yesterday, said CEPZ sources, adding that they got aggrieved and began demonstrating in front of the factory in the morning after finding it shut.

The demonstration resulted in a huge gridlock inside the CEPZ, according to witnesses.

The authorities concerned of CEPZ later managed to convince the agitating workers, and had the area cleared.

Deputy Director of Chittagong Industrial Police Tofayel Ahmed Mia said the workers also abstained from working on Sunday, demanding a 10 percent annul increment. Md Yusuf, general manager of the factory, declined to comment on the issues. Officials of Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority (BEPZA), Chittagong, factory authorities, EPZ police, industrial police and workers' representatives, however, held a meeting to reach a solution, said the CEPZ sources. The factory management has been asked to give the workers their dues by March 10, said GM Khorshed Alam, general manager of BEPZA, Chittagong.