Garment workers staged protests in Sreepur upazila of Gazipur on Thursday, demanding 11 days of Eid-ul-Azha holiday, payment of overdue overtime wages, full salary for May, and the removal of several factory officials. The demonstration later turned violent, leading to clashes with police.
The incident took place around 9:30 am at KSS Knit Composite Ltd in Baherarchala area. According to workers, they had been staging protests for several days over their demands and submitted them to factory authorities on Wednesday. However, when workers arrived at the factory on yesterday morning, they found a closure notice posted at the gate along with a heavy police presence, triggering tensions.
Workers alleged that police prevented them from entering the factory and used batons when they attempted to force their way inside. This led to a chase and counter-chase between workers and police. Police later fired sound grenades and teargas shells to disperse the demonstrators. Several workers were reportedly injured during the clash.
The factory management, however, claimed that some workers from the sewing section had engaged in an illegal strike without prior notice on May 19 and 20, obstructed other employees from working, threatened senior officials, and disrupted production. Citing deteriorating law and order conditions, the management announced the factory’s indefinite closure under Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006.
In an official notice signed by General Manager (HR and Administration) AM Nurul Amin, the company stated that it had already announced 10 days of Eid leave and 20 days’ advance salary for workers.
Gazipur Industrial Police Superintendent Amzad Hossain said police brought the situation under control after dispersing the protesters with sound grenades and tear gas. He added that the situation is now calm and additional police have been deployed at the factory.