At least 20 people were injured as readymade garment workers clashed with police demanding that factory owners immediately implement the new wage scale announced by the government.
However, a section of workers denounced the decision fixing the minimum wage at Tk5,300 and demanded a monthly minimum pay of Tk8,000, police said.
More than a hundred apparel factories in Konabariu and Kashimpur areas of Gazipur suspended production in the morning citing fears of further unrest.
Police and local sources said a few hundred workers of garment factories in the Konabari and Kashimpur industrial zones did not join their work on Wednesday and demonstrated in the area, throwing bricks at factory buildings. Some vehicles were vandalised at Konabari on the Dhaka-Tangil highway.
Agitating workers clashed with police members who arrived to bring the situation under control. At least 20 people, including workers, passers-by and police members, were injured during the clash, which prompted the police to lob tear gas shells and fire rubber bullets.
Inspector Nazrul Islam of Gazipur industrial police said worker unrest led to suspension of production at most of the factories in Konabari, Jarun and Kashimpur areas Wednesday.
Inspector Zakir Hossain of Gazipur industrial police said Interstop factory authorities sacked 110 workers on Monday for breaking factory discipline.
