Recently (on 12th August, Saturday), a clash erupted between workers of a garment factory and the police in Savar as the workers staged a demonstration, blocking the Dhaka-Aricha highway to demand their overdue salaries even as, to regain control of the situation, the police resorted to baton charging and firing tear gas shells.
Reports maintained this adding around 9 am in the Ulail area of Savar, workers from HR Textile Mills Limited and Fashion Knit Limited, both factories under the Pride Group, engaged in the clash resulting in at least 20 workers sustaining injuries.
The dispute stemmed from the workers’ grievances over a one-month salary arrear with the factory owner.
The scenario unfolded when the authorities paid the salaries of the factory officials and staff on Friday, leaving the workers still unpaid. Upon arriving at the factory on Saturday morning, the workers discovered a notice declaring a general holiday for the day posted at the gate even as this led the workers to position themselves outside the factory, seeking a dialogue with the owner. However, despite their efforts, neither the owner nor any official came forward to address their concerns.
In response, thousands of workers initiated a protest in front of the factory. The police intervened around 9 am, urging the workers to vacate the factory’s vicinity but the workers relocated to the Dhaka-Aricha highway, directly in front of the factory.
An altercation broke out between the workers and the police, culminating in a clash. During this confrontation, the police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the workers, which reportedly caused injuries to at least 20 workers, as reported by the garment workers themselves.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Afzal Hossain from Ashulia Industrial Police-1 stated that there was no use of batons and no firing of rubber bullets at the workers. He clarified that the workers had thrown brickbats at the police on the highway, leading to the use of tear gas shells by the police.
