Garment workers’ wage protest enters third day in Mirpur
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Garment workers’ protest demanding a higher minimum wage entered its third day in Mirpur, Dhaka, on Monday morning.
They gathered in the Mirpur-14 area and attempted to march toward the Mirpur-10 roundabout. At that time, police chased them and they dispersed and returned to their factories.
Mirpur Model Police Station Duty Officer Rozina Khatun confirmed the matter.
According to police and local sources, unrest surfaced among workers across various garment factories in Mirpur on Saturday. Initially starting inside factories through work abstentions and demonstrations, it took a public turn on Sunday.
On that day, tension spread across various areas of Mirpur due to workers’ demonstrations and road blockades. Later, the protesters took to the streets, vandalized vehicles, and set them on fire. They also attempted to attack the police.
At one point, a clash broke out between them and the police, and due to a strict stance by law enforcement, the protesters were forced to leave. Police have also detained several individuals.
Police said when they tried to advance toward the Mirpur-10 roundabout, police officers intercepted them. At one stage, when the workers attempted to break through the police barricade, police chased.
At the same time, another group of workers attempted to gather from the Mirpur-10 area as well. That attempt was also foiled due to police promptness. Later, the workers dispersed and returned inside the factories.
Duty Officer Rozina said the situation is under control.
Meanwhile, following the demonstrations, clashes, closure of Metro Rail stations, and attacks on Fire Service vehicles over the past two days, a tense atmosphere prevails throughout Mirpur.
To prevent any unwanted incident, additional police personnel have been deployed in the Mirpur-10, 11, 12, and 14 areas.
