Worker dies amid clashes in Ashulia following mass layoff

A female worker was killed, and three others were injured on Tuesday (17 September) during a clash between two factions of workers in the Zirabo area of Ashulia, on the outskirts of Dhaka, following a mass layoff at Mascot Garments Ltd.

Rokeya Akhtar, who had been working at Mascot Garments since December 2021 as an assistant machine operator, was injured after being struck by brickbats. She was declared dead after being rushed to a nearby hospital, Superintendent of Industrial Police Nurani Ferdous Disha told The Business Standard.

Following her death, Mascot Garments authorities paid Tk5 lakh in compensation to Rokeya's husband Masud Rana who later took the body to her village home in Gaibandha Sadar upazila, the official added.

Speaking to TBS, Abdullah Hil Rakib, senior vice president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), emphasised that the death was an unfortunate accident rather than an intentional attack.

He acknowledged that no amount of compensation could ever fully address the immense loss to her family. However, the factory owner has pledged support by providing Tk5 lakh to the family and covering the medical expenses for all injured workers.

Rakib also noted that after discussions with workers, their leaders, and factory owners, it has been agreed that the factory will resume operations next Saturday.

Police official Disha said the factory had been closed under Section 13/1 of the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006. on Tuesday morning, workers arrived to check if the factory had reopened, only to find a notice stating that all workers had been laid off.

In response, workers began throwing brickbats at their own factory, as well as at nearby factories such as Radiance Garments and Southern Knitting, and called on other workers to join their protest.

This led to a counter-reaction from workers at the other factories, who also threw brickbats, resulting in casualties. The clash began around 9:30am, during which Rokeya Akhtar was severely injured.

BGMEA sources said Mascot Garments authorities are considering permanently closing their RMG business due to financial losses. They are currently preparing to manage liquidity to pay workers' gratuities and other compensation. Although the factory announced layoffs, workers' salaries have already been paid.

Disha further said industrial police and army personnel were dispatched to the location upon receiving reports of the clash. However, workers had blocked the Bishmail-Zirabo road, and it wasn't until after 5pm that the police and army managed to clear the road.

Rina, a worker from Mascot Garments who witnessed the incident, told journalists that the protest began after workers discovered the factory had been closed for three days without any communication from the authorities.

She claimed that while the workers were protesting in front of the factory, a group of young men, wearing lungis and carrying sticks, arrived from the direction of the nearby Radiance Knitwear Limited. They began throwing bricks at the protesting workers, which led to a violent clash between the two groups.

Rina added that a brick struck Rokeya Akhtar, a worker from the factory, on the head, critically injuring her.

SP Disha noted that the industrial area has been calm since the morning, and workers from other factories have resumed their work.

19 factories shut on Tuesday

On Tuesday, 19 factories were closed, including 15 that followed the "no work, no pay" rule under Section 13/1 of the Labour Act. Additionally, 12 factories suspended production after lunch when workers refused to continue. According to BGMEA data, H-Meem Group workers left their factories after lunch, prompting neighbouring factories, including Dekko Group, to halt production to ensure security.

BGMEA President Khandoker Rafiqul Islam said the overall industry situation has improved compared to before, with workers actively helping to protect the RMG sector.

He emphasised that resolving the instability at H-Meem Group is the key challenge, but he is hopeful it will be managed soon. Additionally, Shin Shin Apparels has resolved its issues with workers, and the factory is expected to resume production on Wednesday (18 September).

Workers block Dhaka-Mymensingh highway 

SP Disha said workers from several factories in Gazipur were protesting since morning, demanding salaries and other benefits. Protests began early with workers blocking the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in Tongi, Gazipur, causing severe traffic congestion.

At Seasons Dresses Limited, workers protested overdue July salaries, which were delayed due to banking issues, according to factory owner Baha Uddin Chowdhury Bakr.

Protests also occurred in Chandra and Chakrabarti, where workers from Mahmud Jeans Limited, Niagara Textile Limited, and Beximco Group demonstrated over unpaid wages.

In Shirishchala, workers at Executive High Fashion Limited went on strike, citing unresolved demands and an assault on a worker, which they suspect was orchestrated by factory authorities.

In Rajendrapur, Tasmia Herbal Limited workers were on strike demanding an eight-point wage increase, while Veritas Pharmaceutical Limited workers are protesting with a nine-point demand under the Anti-Discrimination Workers' Movement.

Md Imran Ahmed, additional superintendent of Gazipur Industrial Zone-2, stated that discussions were ongoing with the factory management to resolve these issues.

Ctg EPZ workers end protests on assurance 

Workers at Sea Blue Garments in the Chattogram Export Processing Zone (EPZ) staged a protest demanding increased attendance bonuses, tiffin allowances, and travel allowances.

The protest began around 8:30am at the EPZ customs gate and lasted about three hours. Workers met with EPZ authorities, factory owners, and industrial police, who assured them that their demands would be met.

Asian Group Managing Director Mohammad Abdus Salam announced that the attendance bonus would increase from Tk200 to Tk300, the travel allowance would rise from Tk5 to Tk10, and the tiffin allowance would be raised from Tk20 to Tk30.

Abdus Sobahan, EPZ executive director, said the issue was resolved and emphasised that workers in EPZs receive better benefits than those outside. The workers resumed their duties following the resolution.