At least 20 garment workers were injured as they clashed with law enforcers blocking the Dhaka-Aricha highway in Savar on the outskirts of the capital demanding their arrears.
During the clash that ensued around the noon, the incident of chases and counter-chases took place where police had to fire several rubber bullets and charge batons to disperse the agitating workers.
The incident erupted around 11:00am as nearly two hundred of workers of BNS Sweater Ltd started demonstration blocking the highway for more than an hour demanding their arrears of last two months, said Ali Ahmed, deputy director of industrial police of Dhaka zone.
The road communications on the highway came to a total halt following the demonstration, he said.
The authorities of the factory kept the operation of the unit closed since December 15 due to lack of work order, police official added.
On information police rushed to the spot and requested them to make the highway free, Ali Ahmed said.
As the RMG workers did not entertain their request, police fired rubber bullets and charged truncheons, leaving the workers injured.
The injured workers were admitted to Savar Upazila Health Complex.
After the clash, the BNS authorities however announced to pay their salaries on January 5, the police official added.
Source: The Daily Star
