Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)– More than 50 people were injured on Sunday as police charged batons and fired rubber bullets on hundreds of garment workers protesting low salaries and harsh labour conditions at a factory in Ashulia.
Police said the workers of Envoy Group became unruly and broke windowpanes after two of their colleagues were denied entry as they turned up late at the factory gate.
The situation calmed down after more than two hours of angry demonstration, with the factory owners agreeing to implement the workers 10-point demands including a 20 per cent hike in salaries and improving labour conditions, police confirmed.
At one stage, they went on the rampage and vandalized the factory building and three vehicles parked inside the factory, according to reports.
The workers also blockaded the busy Dhaka-Tangail road, protesting the police attack and damaged some vehicles. Traffic in the highway, which connects the capital with northern Bangladesh, was disrupted for more than an hour.
Sunday’s clashes came more than a month after a four-day violence in the Ashulia industrial area. At least two workers were killed, hundreds were injured and scores of factories were vandalized during the unrest.
BBN/SSR/SI/AD-17August09-5:32 am (BST)
