Garments workers' have been staging a demonstration by blocking road in Narayanganj demanding an end to the layoffs and withdrawal of a case and protesting against an attack carried out by the officials.
A group of workers of Eurotex Knitwear Limited gathered at Lamapara area and blocked Dhaka-Narayanganj Link Road from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Wednesday (February 19).
The demonstration staged by the workers resulted a huge traffic congestion on both sides of the road, causing immense suffering for the commuters.
According to the workers, the factory authorities have suspended 27 of its workers without any prior notice. They also lodged a case against the workers. When the workers stopped working in the factory, the senior officials carried out an attack on them.
The agitating workers vowed to continue their protest until stopping suspending workers and withdrawal of the case, said a worker, seeking anonymity. Ofuza Begum, a worker of the factory, said that the authorities suspended the workers without giving prior notice and paying salaries. When we stopped working, the officials attacked us, she said.
They would continue their protest until their demands were met soon, she added.
Narayanganj district Garments and Sweater Workers' Trade Union central president Shahin said that the workers were harassed by police filing a case against them by the factory. He urged to stop suspending workers and withdrawal of the case.
Being informed, a team of police rushed to spot and tried to bring the situation under control but failed.
Industrial Police-4 Inspector (investigation) Selim Badsha said, "Garment factory workers have blocked the road with various demands, including an end to layoffs. Efforts are underway to resolve the issue with them,' he added.
