At least 20 injured as Bangladesh workers ‘clash’ with factory staff

At least 20 people have been injured during a clash between workers and the factory staff. Ashulia, a suburban area near Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, has witnessed one of the greatest workers’ protests. 

On 30 October, some workers entered the Next Collection factory of Hamim Group in Ashulia and clashed with the factory staff, demanding a hike in the minimum wages and a safe environment for the employees.

At least 20 people were injured because of the clash. They were taken to Ashulia Women and Children Hospital for treatment. Out of them, five people were in critical condition. They were sent to Dhaka for better treatment because of the critical situation. Other people received treatment at the hospital in Ashulia.

What happened at the Next Collection factory?

Tajul Uddin, quality-in-charge of the second floor of the factory, said that workers entered the factory, and started beating factory staff. The workers were demanding a salary hike. The workers said that they needed a good salary to live a good lifestyle amid rising prices of essential goods in the country. 

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Bangladesh workers’ strike

On 30 October, workers from different garment factories took to the streets in Savar-Ashulia, demanding an increase in their salaries. They demanded a minimum wage of Tk20,390. The workers opposed the Tk10,400 minimum wage proposed by garment factory owners.

Police tried to disperse the protestors. Later on, police also fired tear gas. Kabir Hossain, the joint general secretary of the Central Committee of the National Garment Workers Federation, urged all the workers to remain calm.

Last week, workers blocked the highway in Bangladesh demanding a salary hike. Several factory workers blocked the Dhaka-Tangail highway in Gazipur. The workers clashed with police officers around 1:00 pm in the Mouchak Telirchar area. They demanded a minimum basic salary of Tk15,000 following the high cost of living due to the price hike of basic items. They also demanded a 10 per cent annual increment for garment workers. The factory workers also urged the authorities to declare April 24 as National Mourning Day for the collapse of Rana Plaza in Bangladesh. 

Earlier this month, Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation demanded a minimum wage of Taka 23,000 for the garment workers.