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Download PDF Garment workers demonstrating for a hike in their wages vandalised offices, machinery and finished products at a sweater factory in the city’s Muradpur area yesterday.
The workers of BLP Warm Fashion Ltd also swooped on the factory officials injuring two of them seriously.
The injured are knitting in-charge Arifur Rahman and knitting supervisor Abdul Khalek.
The agitating workers calmed down after the management assured them of meeting their demands including an increase in allowances.
Sources said the workers stopped working on Friday afternoon demanding fixing of a proper piece rate of products. They also placed a 19-point demand including an increase in basic salary, tiffin allowances and overtime payment.
However, they returned to work after the factory authorities assured them of considering their demands.
The workers again staged demonstration yesterday morning and refrained from work demanding fixing of a proper piece rate of products by 10:00am.
Later, they vandalised offices, machinery and finished products at the factory building ignoring a call for negotiation with the management.
They disconnected the factory from power mains and attacked the two officials who tried to pacify them.
On information, policemen and Rab members rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.
Factory worker Jasim alleged that the authorities were decreasing the piece rate gradually and did not pay them overtime bills and tiffin allowances properly.
Another worker Towhid said although they placed their demands in writing before the management on Tuesday the authorities did not take any step in this regard leaving them with no alternative but to stage demonstrations.
He also alleged that they are not paid as per the ’salary sheet’ the authorities had submitted to the buyers.
Factory Chairman Mohammed Mohiuddin told The Daily Star that the workers refrained from work on Friday without any prior notice.
He claimed that they pay them salaries and other allowances regularly, adding that the workers went on rampage to put pressure on the management to meet their unjustified demands.
“We even urged them to sit with us. But they refused and resorted to violence,” he said.
“However, we have assured the workers of fulfilling their demands within five days after holding a meeting with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturer and Exporters Association (BGMEA),” he said.
The factory will resume its operation today as usual, he added.
Meanwhile, BGMEA sources said the workers of two other factories — Warm Fashion at Aturar Depot and Diamond Knitwear Ltd at Kalurghat also staged demonstration yesterday.
Agitating workers of three garment factories of Azim Group at BSCIC Industrial area of Kalurghat staged demonstrations on Tuesday demanding an increase in their share of piece rate and breakfast allowances.
They also damaged at least 50 vehicles and attacked the weaving division office of the company.
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