A clash between readymade garment (RMG) factory workers and police has left one dead at Savar, on the outskirts of capital Dhaka.
At least 25 people have been injured in clashes on Tuesday (Jan 8) at several locations in the Upazila.
Since Sunday (Jan 6), workers from different RMG factories have been demonstrating in Dhaka, Savar and Gazipur demanding changes to their new wage structure.
Witnesses said clashes erupted on Tuesday at several locations. Clashes at Hemayetpur in the morning left 25 people, including policemen, injured.
Around 3.30pm, running battles and clashes broke out at Savar’s Ulail area, when police lobbed tear gas canister and opened fire.
Twenty-two-year-old Suman Mia, who worked at the Anlima Garments, received gunshot wounds during the clash.
He was rushed to the Savar Upazila Health Complex, where the doctors declared him dead.
He died from a gunshot wound on the left side of his chest, said the Health Complex’s family planning officer Dr Amzadul Haque.
Several other workers with critical injuries sustained in the clash were also admitted to Enam Medical College and Hospital (EMCH).
Meanwhile, at least 25 people were injured when police and RMG factory workers clashed in phases at Savar’s Hemayetpur between 8am and 11:30am on Tuesday.
Some of them, including two workers with gunshot wounds, are undergoing treatment at EMCH, while others were treated at different local hospitals and clinics.
The workers who demonstrated and clashed with police at Hemayetpur were from five RMG factories — including Shams Styling Wears Ltd of Standard Group and TCL-2.
During the clash, which left injured on both sides, police had fired teargas shells and rubber bullets to disperse the workers.
Ashulia-based Industrial Police 1 unit’s Director Sana Saminur Rahman said: “We charged batons and fired teargas to disperse the workers after they hurled brickbats at us.”