A strike by workers in Ashulia, demanding a 15% salary increase and a minimum wage of Tk 25,000, has led to the closure of 15 factories on Tuesday.
The unrest saw workers leaving factories without authorization and clashing with staff over unmet demands. To control the situation, factory authorities announced a general holiday for the affected units.
Despite repeated calls to return to work, workers continued their strike from the morning till noon, prompting factory owners to shut operations temporarily. Some workers attempted to stage demonstrations on the Baipail-Abdullahpur road, but Industrial Police and joint forces intervened to disperse them.
According to the Industrial Police, workers have been striking for several days to press their demands for salary adjustments and a minimum wage hike. Three factories have been closed indefinitely since December 10 under Section 13(1) of the Labor Act, with notices posted at the gates.
Labor leader Ibrahim expressed confusion over the continued protests, saying, "The government has already decided on a 9% salary increase instead of 15%. Workers should consider the owners' perspective and resume work as not all demands can be met instantly."
Superintendent of Industrial Police-1, Md. Mominul Islam Bhuiyan, stated that workers had been striking for various demands, including annual leave payments, overdue salaries, and wage increments. He added that 15 factories declared holidays due to the standoff, but workers peacefully left for home, and no untoward incidents were reported.
