Factory closed for indefinite period
The authorities of Experience Clothing Company Ltd yesterday officially declared its factory in Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) at Savar closed for an indefinite period following worker violence the day before.
Yesterday morning, a notice reading "The factory will remain closed for an indefinite period until further notice" was posted in front of the factory, said sources at the DEPZ.
On Tuesday, the operation of the Pakistan-based garment factory ground to a halt as its workers clashed over various grievances including non-payment of overtime, inadequate transportation facilities and poor standard of meal.
At least 50 people including 15 police personnel were injured when the workers locked in a two-hour-long clash with police.
Meanwhile, the police and the authorities of the garment factory filed two separate cases accusing around 2,000 workers of the factory. Moreover, Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (Bepza) formed a three-member committee to probe the incident.
Arif Mohammad Khalid, general manager (GM) of Experience Clothing Company Ltd, filed a case yesterday morning, accusing around 1,500 to 2,000 workers, said Ashulia police.
The factory GM in the case statement alleged that the rowdy workers during their rampage in the factory ransacked furniture and machineries worth around Tk 2 crore, added the police.
The Ashulia police on the other hand, filed a separate case on Tuesday night, accusing about 50 workers for attacking the police and obstructing police duties.
SM Abdur Rashid, GM of Bepza, told The Daily Star, "A three-member committee headed by Industrial Relations Manager Ahsan Kabir has been formed to probe the incident and the committee is asked to submit its report within seven days."
Responding to a query, he said the workers' demonstrations and rampaging were triggered by alleged deterioration in the quality of their launch provided by the authorities.
Ashulia police said they arrested two more persons -- Kulsum, a worker and Mahbub, an outsider -- in connection with the violence.
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