Collected PhotoGarment workers blocked roads and staged demonstrations in Dhaka’s Mirpur for the second consecutive day on Sunday, demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk30,000, triggering repeated clashes with police.
The clashes broke out as police attempted to remove the protesters from the roads, creating a tense situation across the area.
The demonstrations began around 9:00am when workers blocked the road at Mirpur-10 roundabout. Later, garment workers from factories in Mirpur-11, Mirpur-12, Prashika Mor and surrounding areas joined the protest.
As a result, traffic movement came to a complete halt in the affected areas.
At one stage, police fired water cannons, tear gas and sound grenades to disperse the protesters and restore order, triggering chases and counter-chases between the two sides.
Officer-in-Charge of Pallabi Police Station Jalal Uddin said workers had been demonstrating on the roads in Mirpur-10, 11 and 12 and adjoining areas since the morning.
Additional police personnel had been deployed to bring the situation under control, while efforts were underway to clear the roads, he added.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labour has already formed a minimum wage board to determine wages for garment workers. However, workers have continued their movement, insisting on a minimum monthly salary of Tk 30,000.
FP/A
