1 killed, 10 hurt in Gazipur as RMG workers continue protest

A female garment worker was killed allegedly in "police firing" and around 10 others injured during clashes between protesting workers and law enforcers in Gazipur's Konabari on Wednesday. The clashes erupted a day after a section of workers rejected the government's newly set minimum wage of Tk12,500.

Factory owners say about 30 factories in Gazipur and Ashulia were closed on the day due to the unrest.

The deceased, Anju Manowar, 28, was critically injured in the clash and was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital around 10:30am, said the hospital's police outpost in-charge Md Bacchu Mia.

"Two people, severely injured, were brought to the hospital this morning from Gazipur. After conducting medical tests, the doctors declared the woman dead.

"Another man, Jalal Uddin, 28, is currently under treatment at the hospital," he said.

An additional deputy commissioner of the Gazipur Metropolitan Police said, "When police fired rubber bullets to disperse the garment workers, they rushed to a safer spot. All of a sudden, a woman was severely injured in the head. Later, she succumbed to her injuries due to excessive bleeding."

Local workers said a group of Islam Garments workers, including one who later died, did not enter the factory in the morning. They were later chased by "outsiders" and were "shot by the police".

Islam Group Director Toufiqul Islam told TBS that the workers were protesting outside the factory. He also confirmed that one of the workers died, but did not provide details about the cause of the death. He mentioned that there are approximately 10,000 workers employed at the factory.

Meanwhile, garment workers have expressed their outrage over the death of the female worker.

Several workers organisations have announced a protest rally in the capital on 10 November to demand a minimum wage of Tk23,000 and to protest the death of workers.

The Garment Workers' Movement for Increased Wages, a coalition of 11 organisations including the Garment Workers Trade Union Center, has also announced a rally on Friday.

Nazma Akter, president of the Sommilito Garments Sramik Federation, expressed fear that worker unrest would escalate. In a statement, she said the use of force by the police and "local thugs" to suppress labour movements would only increase worker dissatisfaction.

She called for the withdrawal of police and thugs from the front lines and the implementation of a minimum wage of Tk23,000 to address worker grievances.

On 23 October, workers in several factories in Gazipur began protesting for higher wages. The protests escalated into violence and spread to other areas including Ashulia and Mirpur, culminating in the deaths of two workers on 30 October.

State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Monnujan Sufian on Tuesday announced a 56% wage increase from Tk8,000 to Tk12,500 after a meeting of the Minimum Wage Board. However, a section of workers rejected the decision, demanding a higher minimum wage.

Meanwhile, during an event held in the capital on Wednesday, H&M, the largest buyer brand in Bangladesh, announced its readiness to comply with any wage increase set by the government for workers.

Ziaur Rahman, head of H&M Dhaka office, said, "In regard to the ongoing wage negotiations we want to state that H&M Group respects the process and urges the parties in the labour market to reach a consensus that allows setting of a new minimum wage."

'Factories to be closed if workers don't come to work'

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) convened a meeting on Wednesday to address the prevailing situation.

BGMEA Vice President Md Nasir Uddin told TBS that approximately 30 factories, including 18 in Gazipur and 10 in Ashulia, were shut on Wednesday.

He said if workers fail to report for work on Thursday, factory closures would be enforced in accordance with Section 13/1 of the Labour Act, and certain factory owners have already issued the necessary notices.

Under the provisions of this Act, factories may be closed by the authorities in response to an illegal blockade, and workers will not receive their salaries for the duration of the closure.

In a statement, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said, "If buyers choose to withdraw their support for any reason, it will not only have adverse effects on our nation, but will also result in unemployment for the workers."