SAVAR: Tension boiled up in Ashulia industrial area Sunday following recent labour unrest with many factories still remaining shut, posing threat to the country’s export-oriented readymade garment sector.

The law-and-order situation was, however, brought under control after a daylong clash that left more than 100 people, including 10 cops, injured Sunday.  At least 150 garment factories were shut down and about 50 vandalised amid the orgies.  

“A huge number of police and RAB personnel have been deployed in the area in apprehension of fresh violence,” said Shirajul Islam, officer-in-charge of Asulia Thana.  

Meanwhile, another factory, Oshin Gate Sweater, was shut down for indefinite period for labour unrest and demand for pay hike Sunday.

Workers of the factory Sunday stopped work and took position at the factory demanding pay hike in Palli Biddut area, Shirajul added.

He told banglanews24.com.bd that the authorities concerned closed the factory without informing police. “Closing the factory without prior announcement may stoke up the violence,” said the police officer on a note of concern.

Besides, Envoy group owned by   BGMEA president Abdus Salam Murshedy was again closed Sunday after its resumption on June 18.

Earlier, about 7000 workers of Envoy Fashion, Envoy Design and Manto Apparels stopped their work in the morning and took position on several floors of the factory demanding release of Rasedul, their co-worker.


The BGMEA president, Salam Murshedy, said, “We can’t run the factory in this situation.”  

Besides, work started a partially in Nasa AG Super factory though the work at Nasa group resumed on Sunday morning.

But the workers of Nasa Garden, Nasa Global, Nasa High-tech and Nasa Wash did not join work yet.

Director of Nasa AG Super Limited Mosaddek Ali said, “We are in deep anxiety.”

Traffic on the Dhaka-Tangail highway went on as usual after Saturday’s disruption.

BDST: 1329 Hrs, June 20, 2010-06-20
ZR/MMK/SA/MMA/SMS/MUA