AL men attack Rana Plaza protest rally in Savar

Thousands of garment workers yesterday demonstrated n the capital’s Tejgaon Industrial area blocking two busy roads for over two hours, to demand wage hikes and payment of allowances. In response police opened fire to disperse them and allow movement of traffic on the Tejgaon-Mohakhali and Gulshan Link roads, which caused long tailbacks on other connecting roads in and around the area, leading to worse then usual traffic jams and adding to commuters’ woes.   Workers from four factories – Sepal Garments Ltd, Orchid Garments Ltd, Glory Fashion Wear Ltd and and Sepal Washing Division – owned by the ruling party MP Tipu Munshi, who is also a former president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufactures and Exporters Association (BGMEA) started agitating around 10:30pm demanding 12-points that include higher wages, overtime payments and tiffin allowances.   “We took to the streets because the authorities are not responding to our demands even after five consecutive days of protests,” said Zakiya Parvin, an employee of Sepal Garments.   She said, “Recently the authorities increased working hours from 12 to 13 hours nut we are paid overtime allowances only for two hours even though we should be paid for three hours.”   “Workers in almost all other factories get tiffin allowance, but we don’t get paid even though we have repeatedly asked for it,” she said.     Witnesses said traffic on the Tejgaon-Mohakhali and Gulshan link road eventually resumed after two hours when police fired blanks at protesting workers.   Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Tejgaon police station Biplab Sarker said police fired five rounds to bring the situation under control.   “The barricades were removed and roads freed after 12:30pm when authorities of Sepal Garments assured the workers their demands would be met,” the DC said.   Tipu Munsh, Sepal Garments’ managing director told reporters the factory’s management agreed to pay Tk25 as tiffin allowance.   Meanwhile, in Savar, relatives and survivors of the Rana Plaza building collapse yesterday blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway near Savar bazaar bus stand demanding compensation for themselves and punishment of Sohel Rana.   According to witnesses, garment workers of the factories located in Rana Plaza and relatives brought out a procession at 10am that started at the spot where the building stood and proceeded towards Savar bazaar, where they set up road blocks to press home their demands.   Demonstrators asking for due compensation for the survivors and relatives of victims, and immediate punishment of Sohel Rana - owner of the eight-story building that collapsed on April 24, killing 1130 people and injuring hundreds of others - bought traffic to a standstill on the Dhaka-Aricha highway.   The protest turned violent around noon when local Awami League leaders and BCL members, joined by local business owners, attacked them.   Protestors clashed with police when law enforcers intervened, and several shops and vehicles were vandalised. Police used batons, rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowd when violence broke out.   Nearly 50 people were injured in the police action said witnesses. Three people were detained for allegedly attacking policemen.   Inspector (investigation) Aminur Rahman of Savar police station confirmed three people were detained because they attacked the police.   Protestors, bystanders and law enforcers were injured in the unrest, among them Masum Ali worked in one of the Rana Plaza factories, but Solaiman is a motor mechanic and Sabbir is a student.    The situation was brought under control around 1pm and traffic movement was restored on the highway.   The Savar Thana upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) said: “We are working to inform higher authorities of the demands.”