10 garment factories shut in Mirpur amid worker protests
Workers of Outright Fashion Ltd shout slogans in Mirpur yesterday, demanding a pay hike and other allowances. Photo: Star
Three factories announced a two-day work suspension, while the rest were closed
for one day, officials said
Ten garment factories in Mirpur suspended production after workers clashed with the police yesterday, demanding a hike in pay and other allowances.
Five workers were injured in the clashes as about 1,000 workers of the units took to the streets around 8:30am.
The workers insisted on an inflation-adjusted increase in salary, and tiffin, attendance and lunch bills and proper overtime payment.
Of the factories, Shanin Ltd, MM Dresses Ltd and MM Shirt were closed for two days, while JK Fashion-1, JK Fashion-2, Outright Fashion Ltd, Outwear Fashion Ltd, Alpha Knitting Wear Ltd, Faiyaz Apparels Ltd and SQ Sweaters announced one-day work suspension.
In the morning, workers of Shanin, MM Dresses and MM Shirt came to their workplace and found notices that the factories were closed for security reasons.
“The workers have been protesting for the last few days, which forced us to shut the factory,” an official of Shanin said, seeking anonymity.
Workers started protesting after seeing the notice and called upon the workers of adjacent factories to join in. They threw brick chips at the windows of the factory buildings.
An official of JK Fashions said they had to declare the factory shut for the day as they feared further damage caused by the workers of Shanin, MM Dresses and MM Shirt.
The police chase away the workers who tried to block the roads, said Kazi Wazed Ali, an inspector of Kafrul Police Station. The workers later hurled brick chips at the law enforcers.
The situation was later brought under control.
Comments