RMG workers stage protests over 'arrears'

Garment workers of Envoy Group owned by BGMEA president yesterday staged demonstrations over their salaries by barricading road at Jamgorah in Ashulia for over two hours.
They set fire to furniture of the factory on the road and vandalised some other roadside factories hurling brickbats.
Local sources said hundreds of agitating workers took to the street in the afternoon. Police rushed to the spot and freed the road after convincing the workers.
Duty officer of Ashulia Police Station said they detained two persons in this connection.
Dhaka District Superintendent of Police (SP) Md Iqbal Bahar told The Daily Star that the workers became furious as the factory authorities decided to pay salaries for 15 days of the current month while the workers had been demanding wages in full.
"The workers at last were given half the month's salary as per the authorities' decision," said the SP.
However, BGMEA president Abdus Salam Murshedy denied the allegation of agitation over salary.
He said the workers staged demonstrations demanding nine days' leave instead of the official decision of six days.
Meanwhile, unpaid workers of Amco Fashions yesterday evening ransacked the factory and put barricade on Darussalam Road for about an hour demanding salaries and Eid bonus.
Witnesses said about 600 enraged workers of the factory gathered on the street when the authorities refused to pay 15 days' salary of the current month as per government directive.
Mirpur police said the factory authorities eventually agreed to pay the workers.