Staff Correspondent
Several hundred garment factory workers Thursday evening went on the rampage in the Tejgaon Industrial Area in Dhaka, vandalised more than 50 vehicles and blocked the Tongi Diversion Road for two hours demanding payment of dues and outstanding salary for a month and a half.
Witnesses said several hundred workers of the SS Sweater, a sister concern of the Prince Group at Tejgaon on the road connecting Tejgaon with Gulshan, was scheduled to pay salaries to the workers on Monday, but the authority told them they would be paid salary for a month and a half on January 15.
The workers on Thursday came to know the payment of the salary and other dues would be made Thursday evening.
As the authorities refused to pay their salaries, the workers started work abstention and went out on demonstrations inside the factory building.
The workers shouted slogans against the authorities demanding the payment and brought out a procession.
The workers at one point took to the streets and blocked the road suspending traffic at about 6:15pm.
A large number of policemen reached the place, but failed to control the situation.
After a negotiation with worker’s representatives, high police officials assured the workers to resolve the matter after meeting the factory owner.
The factory owner reached the place at about 7:30pm and asked the workers to call off the barricade, but the workers declined to heed the owner’s assurance.
The owner with the help of the lawmen then tried to leave the place and the workers started vandalising vehicles stranded both ends of the road.
The law enforcers then charged at the workers with truncheons and the workers pelted the lawmen with stones in which at least 15 workers were injured.
The workers at one point attacked the Hamim Group and vandalised some vehicles parked in front of the office.
Police deployment was reinforced to control situation and traffic started moving on the road at about 8:15pm.
Courtesy: newagebd.com
