Police, garment workers clash for second day

Dhaka, Jan 15 (bdprem.com)—Police Tuesday morning baton charged protesting garment workers of a Mirpur factory during a second day of clashes between the workers and police. Mirpur police chief Mohiuddin said the RMG workers of some factories continued their demonstration from Monday in the same area of Mirpur. Your Ad Here As the angry workers took to the streets—protesting non-payment of pay arrears and allowances and sacking without notice—the road stretch between Mirpur-10 roundabout and Kochukhet were inaccessible to traffic. Severe traffic jams resulted in the area, police said. Workers began assembling on the road in front of the police staff quarters at Kochukhet from 9 am, and then took their demonstration along the avenue up to Mirpur-10 roundabout, Mohiuddin said. Police, failing to persuade the agitated workers to clear the road, baton charged them to disperse the mob. The police chief said the factory owners and workers are expected to meet Tuesday to resolve the matter. On Jan 2, workers of a number of garment factories— including SQ Sweaters at Sheorapara—took to the streets demanding due arrears, bonuses and allowances. The unrest spread among hundreds of workers of about 20 factories, who have been continuing sporadic demonstrations till Tuesday.