Protests Erupt in Bangladesh as Garment Workers Demand Wage Increase
Garment workers in Dhaka protest for a minimum wage of 30,000 taka, leading to clashes with police using tear gas and water cannons.
Dhaka, November 2 (Daily Kiran) : Thousands of garment workers in Dhaka and surrounding industrial areas have intensified their protests, demanding a minimum monthly wage of 30,000 taka. On Monday, workers blocked major highways, prompting police to respond with tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds.
Reports indicate that around 1,000 workers gathered on the Dhaka-Tangail highway in the Palli Bidyut area, effectively halting traffic in both directions. Superintendent of Gazipur Industrial Police, Mohammad Amjad Hossain, noted that the protests severely disrupted vehicle movement.
In the Ashulia area of Dhaka, workers from several factories also abandoned their posts, attempting to block the Nabinnagar-Chandra highway. Police employed tear gas and water cannons to manage the situation.
The demonstrators are advocating for a minimum wage of 30,000 taka, the elimination of blacklisting, and several other demands. Mohibullah Akon, the Assistant Commissioner (Land) of the Ashulia Circle, reported that protesters attempted to block the highway twice in the Kabirpur area, while authorities worked to restore order.
Earlier, on Sunday, workers in Gazipur had also obstructed the Dhaka-Tangail highway in their quest for higher wages, even setting fire to a police box in the Konabari area. Clashes between protesters and law enforcement lasted several hours, according to police reports.
Several individuals have been arrested on charges of vandalism and disruptive activities during the protests, with 29 arrests made in the Mirpur area and 20 in the Gazipur industrial zone.
Meanwhile, the France-based human rights organization Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) condemned police actions against workers, particularly targeting women and students, and criticized arbitrary arrests. The organization is calling for an independent investigation, accountability for guilty officials, and the safety of detained workers and labor leaders.
Shahanur Islam, founder of JMBF, emphasized that rising inflation has led workers to demand better wages. He expressed concern over the use of force and arrests instead of engaging in dialogue regarding their demands.
