Garment workers retreated in the face of police resistance when they attempted to besiege the Secretariat, demanding the payment of three months' due wages, Eid bonuses, maternity leave payments, and service benefits, but dozens from the two sides sustained injuries in clashes on Tuesday.
The incident took place in front of the National Press Club and on the road leading to the Secretariat, reports Bangla Tribune.
During the clashes between the workers and police, around 40 people, including both workers and police personnel were injured.
When police fired sound grenades and tear gas shells, the workers scattered and left the area in front of the Secretariat.
According to reports, the workers marched from Srom Bhaban toward the Labour Ministry, overcoming initial police resistance.
However, they encountered a police barricade on the link road between the National Press Club and the Secretariat.
The workers began throwing bricks and stones at the police, prompting the police to retaliate with sound grenades and tear gas shells, dispersing the protesters.
This led to traffic congestion at Paltan Mor, Kadam Fountain, and the High Court intersection.
Regarding the injuries among police personnel, Shahbagh police station Inspector Sardar Bulbul Ahmed said: “Five of our police members were injured in the attack by workers. They are currently receiving treatment at Rajarbagh Police Lines Hospital. Among them, one officer, Fazle Rabbi, is in critical condition.”
Meanwhile, Raju Ahmed, general secretary of the Garment Textile Workers Federation said: “During the clash with police in front of the Secretariat, 30 to 35 of our workers were injured.”
When asked if anyone had been arrested, he said: “Revolutionary Students’ Union President Dilip Roy was detained by the police but was later released.”
The protest included hundreds of workers and employees from TNZ Apparels, Apparel Plus Eco Ltd, Roar Fashion, Style Craft Garments, and DIRD Composite Textile Ltd.
Notably, a day earlier, workers and employees of TNZ Apparels Ltd and Apparel Plus Eco Ltd staged a sit-in protest in front of Srom Bhaban for the second consecutive day, from morning until 7pm.
After 7pm, they vacated the main road and continued their protest on nearby streets.
On the third day of their movement, they were scheduled to hold another sit-in demonstration in front of Srom Bhaban from 10am.
