The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Savar

Industrial workers, agitating over arrear payment, on Sunday damaged 15 garment factories and four nearby markets during continued protests in Savar Industrial area.

The unrest continued until police rushed to the scene and used batons to disperse the agitating workers. At least 15 workers were injured in police action and violence.

Police said the trouble began after workers of Polonia Garment Factory in Jamgara area resorted to agitation when they on arrival in the morning to collect their arrear payments found the main factory gate closed.

Around 200 of the protesting workers later blocked the nearby Dhaka-Tangail highway sparking tension and disrupting traffic movement for over an hour. Later, workers from nearby factories also joined with them in the agitation and attacked nearby factories and markets indiscriminately using sticks and pelting bricks. They also damaged two vehicles.

The affected factories are Polonia Garments Ltd, Shed Fashions Ltd, Star Link Creation Ltd, Rivers Composite Ltd, Envoy Fashions Ltd, Scandesk Ltd, Setara Group, Nodetex, Posak Knitwear Ltd, Designer Jeans Ltd, Universe Factory, Isha Fashions Ltd, Palmal Group, Five Brothers Ltd and GBS Garments.

The damaged markets are Samir Plaza Shopping Complex, Helin Plaza, Nigar Plaza and Noorjahan Mansion.

On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control by dispersing them using batons. Around 15 workers were injured in the police action, workers claimed.

Meanwhile, in the new area of Dhaka Export Processing Zone(DEPZ), the authorities shut down Soft Text Factory due agitations staged by workers on their demands. Another factory, running short of production orders, was also shut down in the area till August 20.