A group of agitated workers broke through the factory's gates and ignited the fire after they heard about a worker's death from being shot by the police while protesting for a salary and allowance increase on Monday afternoon, Gazipur Fire Service Deputy Director Abdullah Al Arefin confirmed.
The body was recovered from the first floor of the building, according to fire service sources.
Quoting locals, Abdullah Al Arefin said: “Workers in Gazipur were protesting for a pay raise since morning in various areas. During these protests, there were multiple clashes between workers and the police. A worker named Rasel Hawlader from the Energy Pack Group's garment factory in Maleker Bari was killed in the afternoon. The news of his death escalated the workers' anger and agitation.”
“The workers first attacked and vandalized Jamuna Fashion and several nearby factories. At one point, they also vandalized a vehicle belonging to the Gazipur DBL Fire Service. In the Konabari area, they set fire to the ABM factory. The fire was brought under control around 9ppm, but a significant amount of smoke continued to emerge from the inside. The extent of the damage from the fire could not be immediately determined,” he added.
Three fire fighting units worked to douse the fire.
Rafiqul Islam, organizing secretary of the Gazipur district unit garment workers federation, said: "The workers have been protesting and blocking roads to increase their salaries. The protesting workers claimed that they did not set fire and a third party was doing this to raise doubts over the workers' movement."
Konabari police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) KM Ashraf Uddin said: "Around 5:30 pm, over 50 young individuals forcibly entered ABM Fashion Limited garment factory, set it on fire, and then fled. It is still unclear who these individuals are."
Monir Hossain, general manager (GM) of ABM Fashion Limited Garment Factory, said: “After leaving the factory, some people broke the gate and entered inside and took the officials hostage. Outsiders can also come here on the occasion of labour agitation. Those who want to destroy the garment industry and harm the country have set fire to it.”
