Workers staged fresh protests demanding higher wages in Konabari, Gazipur, on Sunday, prompting police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel to disperse them using sound grenades and baton charges.
The incident took place around 3pm in the Jarun area under Konabari police station in Gazipur city.
Witnesses said more than 50 workers carrying sticks came from Kashimpur towards Jarun in Konabari around noon. They allegedly threw bricks and stones at several nearby factories where production was underway.
Police personnel stationed inside a Standard Group factory chased the workers. BGB members later arrived at the scene following reports of the unrest. Police and BGB personnel then used sound grenades and baton charges to disperse the protesters.
Gazipur Industrial Police Superintendent Mohammad Amjad Hossain said industrial activities in the Gazipur area had remained normal from the morning until 2:30pm.
Around 3pm, several workers of Mondol Group headed towards Jarun intersection with the same demand for higher wages. After they threw stones at six to seven factories, Industrial Police and BGB personnel used sound grenades to disperse them, he said.
Seven factories in the area were declared closed for the day following the incident. Production was continuing at all other factories in Gazipur, except those seven, the police official added.
Meanwhile, workers at Apex Footwear Ltd in the Palli Bidyut area of Kaliakair upazila stopped working after entering the factory on Sunday morning.
Workers from two footwear factories in Kaliakair staged work stoppages and protests over a 14-point charter of demands, including wage increases and improved workplace benefits.
As the workers began protesting inside the factory, the management announced a general holiday at around 11:25am to bring the situation under control. The workers subsequently left the premises.
Their 14-point demands include suspending work until their demands are met, resolving the issues within 48 to 72 hours, and ensuring an explanation and justice over a worker's death.
They also demanded action against Harun and Mahibullah, who have been accused of assaulting and mistreating workers, and their removal from factory responsibilities.
Other demands include a ban on worker layoffs, round-the-clock operation of the factory medical centre, starting construction of a foot overbridge within a week, full payment of leave benefits, and no deduction of attendance bonuses when workers take leave.
The workers also called for an end to alleged misconduct by supervisors and officials, changes in the human resources department's handling of leave, and greater importance being given to the views of worker representatives and participation committee members in management decisions.
They further demanded a Tk1,000 attendance bonus and a Tk40 tiffin allowance.
Workers at Zenith Footwear Ltd, another factory of the same group in the Vannara-Mouchak area, also stopped production and began protesting inside the factory.
Some of the protesters later left the premises and gathered at Vannara-Mouchak Bazar.
The workers said they had submitted the 14-point charter of demands to the Apex Footwear authorities.
They alleged that the behaviour of some officials from the management and relevant departments was unsatisfactory, adding that they would keep production suspended until the problems were resolved.
Gazipur Industrial Police Superintendent Amjad Hossain said Apex Footwear workers had staged the protest demanding higher wages. The workers left the factory after the authorities announced a holiday.
He said the wage structure for leather goods manufacturing factories was different from that of garment factories under the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
The situation in the industrial areas remained normal, he said, adding that police had been deployed to maintain order.
In this regard, Md SK Nayeem, AGM, Human Resources, Apex Footwear Limited, said: "Apex Footwear Limited is committed to maintaining healthy, positive and long-term industrial relations based on mutual trust, respect, and cooperation. Our employees are one of the key driving forces behind the organisation’s progress and success. We place the utmost importance on their welfare, safety, dignity and the continuous improvement of their working environment.
"We believe that mutual trust, open communication, and constructive cooperation between employees and management are essential to an organisation’s sustainable growth. With this objective, we continue to work collaboratively with our employees through regular discussions and exchanges of views, ensuring that their opinions are heard and valued."
He added that moving forward, the company remains committed to fostering a safe, harmonious and productive working environment through mutual understanding and collective efforts, while further strengthening responsible industrial relations.