Garment Workers’ Protest Shuts Five Metro Rail Stations

Garment workers blocked roads for a second consecutive day at Mirpur-10 intersection in Dhaka on Sunday, demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000. The protests, which began in the morning, led to repeated clashes with police, arson and chases between demonstrators and law enforcers. Metro rail services at five stations in Mirpur were suspended amid the unrest.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labour and Employment has formed a six-member wage board to determine a new pay structure for garment workers.

From Sunday morning, garment workers from Mirpur and surrounding areas gathered at Mirpur-10 intersection and occupied the roads. Traffic came to a standstill on several routes, including those connecting Mirpur-10 with Mirpur-14, Mirpur-11 and Pallabi, causing severe inconvenience to commuters and pedestrians.

Clashes broke out when police moved to clear the roads. Police used tear gas, sound grenades and water cannons, while protesters threw bricks and stones at law enforcers.

At one point, a police box was set on fire. A police pickup truck beneath Mirpur-11 metro station was also torched.

Fire service personnel reportedly came under attack while attempting to extinguish the flames. Repeated chases between police and protesters heightened tensions across the area.

Following the clashes, metro rail services were suspended at Shewrapara, Kazipara, Mirpur-10, Mirpur-11 and Pallabi stations for security reasons.

Amid the unrest, the Ministry of Labour and Employment formed a six-member wage board to determine a new salary structure for garment workers. Justice Sheikh Ashfaqur Rahman has been appointed as the head of the board.

Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury announced the decision at around 11:30am on Sunday. He said the board would announce a new wage structure for garment workers as soon as possible.

Saying that the formation of the board fulfilled one of the workers’ demands, the minister urged them to leave the streets and return to work.