RMG workers' bid to lay siege to BGMEA Bhaban foiled

A view of the building of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association at Karwan Bazar in Dhaka. Photo: STAR

Police today foiled garments workers’ attempt to lay siege to BGMEA headquarters in Karwan Bazar this afternoon demanding death penalty of Rana Plaza owner Sohel Rana.

Transport movement on the road in front of Jatiya Press Club remained suspended for two and a half hours since 10:00am following the incident. 

Leaders and activists of Garments Sramik Trade Union Kendra, a platform for labourers, gathered in front of the press club in the morning and held a one-hour rally to mark the first anniversary of Rana Plaza collapse.

Around 11:00am, the workers started towards the headquarters of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) in procession to lay siege to the building.

They have been demanding capital punishment to Sohel, ensuring safety at workplace and adequate compensation for the Rana Plaza victims.

But the law enforcers resisted them immediately and cordoned them off on the road, halting vehicular movement.

Vehicular movement on the road resumed after the workers left the scene around 12:40pm.

"We prevented them suspecting that they might create chaos on the road," said Ramna zone petrol inspector Shahidul Islam.

While addressing the rally in front of the Press Club, Manjurul Ahsan Khan, advisor of the union, said the government is trying to protect the interest of the owners, not the labourers.

"We demand for publishing the list of the fund that the government received to assist the Rana Plaza disaster victims so far," said the former president of Communist Party of Bangladesh.

He said, "We want transparency and accountability of the fund to ensure adequate compensation for the victims of Rana Plaza collapse."   

The organisation's president advocate Manju Ghosh also spoke at the rally.

Meanwhile, pro-BNP Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Karmajibi Dal offered prayers for the salvation of the departed souls in front of the press club around 1:00pm and distribute.