By IANS,
Dhaka : Thousands of garment workers Tuesday staged violent demonstrations after two of their colleagues died Monday evening when the labourers, demanding higher minimum wage, clashed with police in a key apparel hub.
The unrest continued for the 15th consecutive day Tuesday despite the garment owners agreeing to a new wage at a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Nov 13, Xinhua reported.
A senior police official in Gazipur industrial zone told Xinhua that the workers started the demonstrations in the industrial hubs in Gazipur and Ashulia on the outskirts of capital Dhaka, protesting the death of two workers during Monday’s clash with police.
The official, who refused to be identified, said the protestors also demanded higher minimum wage and immediate reopening of the factories, which were shut down last month following labour unrest over salary.
Most of Ashulia’s 782 garment factories have declared a holiday Tuesday, fearing more violence.
At least 150 people, including policemen, workers and pedestrians, were reportedly injured in Tuesday’s clashes in Ashulia and Gazipur.
Troopers of the paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) forces have been deployed in both Gazipur and Ashulia.
Police reportedly fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the protestors.
The unrest continued despite the employers agreeing to the government proposed minimum monthly salary of 5,300 taka ($68), a 77 percent hike from the existing salary.
The workers are demanding a minimum wage of 8,114 taka ($104) for the country’s four million garment workers.