11,000 RMG workers sued over vandilism in Gazipur

Two separate case were filed against around 11,000 unnamed garment workers over vandalism and clashes .

Two separate case were filed against around 11,000 unnamed garment workers over vandalism and clashes with law enforcers at Konabari area in Gazipur.

Of the cases, a case was filed by Abu Sayed, a sub-inspector of Konabari Police Station filed against 11 named and more 3,000-4,000 thousands unnamed people. 

In the meantime, another case was lodged by Sanir Hasan Kha, sub inspector of Kashimpur Police Station against 6,000-7,000 unnamed people.

Following one of the cases, a court in Gazipur on Friday sent 11 arrested to jail, who were held by RAB and police on Thursday.

Sub inspector Abu Sayed said the workers ransacked Tusuka factory in Konabari, demanding a wage hike. At that time, they also vandalised a car of a deputy commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police in front of the factory.

Later, RAB and police arrested 11 persons involved in the vandilism on Thursday. The arrested are workers of different factories. Efforts are on to arrest the others, he added.

Workers said they started demonstrating on the premises of Tusuka Garments around 3:00pm on Thursday, adding that the management then called in police who beat up several workers.

The protesters then threw brick chunks at police and the factory, said witnesses.

Police used teargas, sound grenades, and firearms to disperse the workers.

"We demonstrated demanding wage hike of workers but were not involved in vandalism. A false case has been filed against me. I left Konabari area and have been staying elsewhere to avoid arrest," said a labour leader of Konabari area.

Another labour leader of Kashimpur area said he was not sued in any case. Yet he was in fear because police could put them in jail if they want.

The workers, who demonstrated, are now leaving are not staying in their homes, he said.

Following the clashes, over 160 factories were shuttered in Ashulia and Gazipur on Thursday.

Sarwar Hossain, general secretary of Garment Sramik Oikya League, said they found hanging of closure notices in front of many factories in Ashulia yesterday.

The notices say the factories were closed under section 13(1) of the labour law, which states "no work, no pay".

Over the last two weeks, workers demonstrating for a minimum wage of Tk 23,000 clashed with law enforcers in Gazipur, Savar, and the capital's Mirpur.