20 RMG workers hurt in clash with cops

At least 20 readymade garment workers were injured in a clash with Industrial Police yesterday.

The clash broke out after the workers blocked a road in Savar, demanding their arrears.

The workers of Pride Group's HR Textile Mills Ltd and Fashion Knit Ltd found a notice when they went to work around 9:00am, which read, "Factory authorities declared yesterday as a general holiday."

Other workers joined the crowd and tried to know the reason behind such a declaration, but to no avail. This prompted them to take to the streets.

Witnesses said they saw workers and police arguing on the Dhaka-Aricha highway in front of the factory.

At one stage, a clash broke out, they added. Police charged truncheons, lobbed teargas shells and fired rubber bullets to disperse the workers, who threw brickbats at the law enforcers.

Several types of raw materials -- including yarn -- were being removed from the factory for a few days. The workers are fearing that the factories might get closed.

Around 20 workers were injured in the clash, said a worker wishing anonymity.

The protesting workers also said their salaries for July are pending.

Referring to the police attack, Rafiqul Islam Sujon, president of Bangladesh Garments and Shilpa Shramik Federation, said several types of raw materials -- including yarn -- were being removed from the factory for a few days.

"The workers are fearing that the factories might get closed," he said.

Contacted, Afzal Hossain, assistant superintendent of police of Ashulia Industrial Police-1, said they did not charge batons or fire rubber bullets on the workers. They only lobbed tear gas canisters when the protesters threw brickbats at them.

This correspondent found the phone of factory general manager (administration) Monirul Islam switched off. When he went to the factory to talk to the authorities, the security guard told him that no officials were available there.

Shafiqul Islam, the factory's security officer, said, "No officers came to the factory [today]. Besides, I can't reach any of them over the phone. The factory will reopen tomorrow [Sunday] and the workers will be paid." Asked about the removal of raw materials from there, he said it was a rumour.