Several thousand garment workers have locked into clashes with police following their agitation demanding their dues and salaries in Section-12 of the capital’s Mirpur under Pallabi police station since Saturday morning.
The workers of Softex Garment launched their angry demonstrations putting blockades on the roads and halting transport movements since the morning and locked into clashes with the police at around 11:00am.
Chases and counter chases took place between the police and workers amid the exchange of brickbats.
Witnesses said the clashes erupted when the lawmen chased after the agitating workers while the workers vandalised several vehicles, including some buses of Bihanga Paribahan and Silk City Paribahan.
According to witnesses, severe traffic jam was created in and around the area.
Sub-Inspector Mahbub Hossain of Pallabi police station said they were trying to bring the situation under control.
Huge number of additional forces was seen deployed in the area.
Police and worker said two units of Softex Garment located on the third to sixth floor of Haji Kudrat Ali Super Market have around 8000 workers.
The workers alleged that the authorities shut down the factories on Friday without any earlier notice.
Solaiman Munsi, one of the agitating workers, said: “If the factory is supposed to be closed, the authorities will have to pay us with salaries for three months, unless our agitation will remain continued.”
“We also had carried out movement on Friday. But the authorities are not agreed with us”, he said.
Police and sources said the factory authorities kept the factory closed on Friday due to inadequate security measures. On the other hand, the workers launched the agitation ending salaries for three months.