Clashes shut down garment factories in Bangladesh

A Bangladeshi riot policeman chases a garment worker during clashes in Ashulia on the outskirts of Dhaka on Tuesday when thousands of garment workers demanding higher pay clashed with police for a second day, leaving dozens injured and at least 200 factories closed, police said. AP Photo

Violent protests by workers on Tuesday forced owners of 200 garment factories in Ashulia, near here, to suspend production. The workers are demanding that the minimum wages be fixed at Tk 8,114.

At least 50 workers, including women, were injured during the clashes. This is the major agitation after the government-appointed wage board re-fixed Tk. 5,300 as minimum wage at the entry level.

Hundreds of workers from different garment factories took to the streets and started demonstrations in Ashulia, rejecting the new wage. The injured workers were admitted to local hospitals.

Published - November 12, 2013 04:46 pm IST