The Ashulia industrial belt on the outskirts of Dhaka flared up once more on Tuesday (10 November) as RMG workers demanding a higher minimum wage blocked roads and clashed with police.
After several days of relative calm, hundreds of RMG workers gathered in the Jamgara area in the morning, blocked the Baipail–Abdullahpur road, and staged a protest.
Police first tried to persuade the workers to clear the road. When the workers began throwing bricks and stones, a confrontation broke out, with both sides chasing each other. Police then fired tear gas shells and sound grenades to disperse the crowd. At least two workers were injured in the incident.
Sources said workers had reported to factories at the usual time, but employees of several units observed a work stoppage in support of their wage demand.
The two injured workers were identified as Alamgir Hossain and Rafia Begum, both employed at the Starling Style factory. Harun-or-Rashid, manager (operations) of Ashulia Women and Children Hospital, said the two garment workers arrived for treatment with injuries consistent with rubber bullet wounds. Rafia Begum, who suffered a head injury, was referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, while Alamgir received primary treatment and left.
It could not be immediately confirmed whether police had used rubber bullets. Repeated attempts to contact Industrial Police officials for comment were unsuccessful.
To prevent further trouble, additional police personnel have been deployed across the industrial area. Several platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have also been stationed in front of factories and at key points.
Separately, the New Age Group has declared an indefinite closure of all its factories in Ashulia from Tuesday, citing the ongoing labour unrest. The shutdown has been announced under Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006.