SAVAR, DHAKA: At least 20 people were injured in sporadic clashes between garments workers and law enforcers on Dhaka-Tangail highway on Saturday morning.

Witnesses said that workers of several garments blocked Dhaka-Tangail highway to press their demand of minimum Tk 8,000 salary.

Later police rushed to the spot and tried to disperse the workers which triggered sporadic clashes.

Besides, authorities of some factories, including of BGMEA president Atiqul Islam, declared their units shut amid workers protest.

Atiqul Islam said, “We have declared to maintain the latest government approved wage board. But, the workers are continuing their protest for illogical demand. It will be quite impossible for us to continue production if this situation prevails.”

“Foreign buyers are unwilling to buy RMG products with additional cost, so we will have no alternative to shutting factories down which will lead Bangladesh to lesser foreign currency earning,” he added.

Director of Industrial police Mostafizur Rahman told banglanews, “We are prepared to avert any untoward situation and additional law enforcers have been deployed in risky points.”

BDST: 1206 HRS, NOV 16, 2013
AKA/BSK