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Garment workers demanding higher wages clashed with police in Fatullah, Narayanganj, for the third consecutive day on Wednesday.
The clashes broke out around 10:30am in the Kutubail Kathpul area beside the Dhaka-Narayanganj Link Road when police tried to prevent workers from staging demonstrations and blocking the road.
According to police and local sources, workers from several factories initially joined their duties in the morning but later left their workplaces and took to the streets, triggering tension across the industrial area.
When workers from Metro Garments attempted to occupy the road, police intervened, leading to chases and counter-chases. Police fired tear gas shells and sound grenades to disperse the protesters and detained several people.
Local shopkeeper Jamal Mia said an argument broke out between workers and local BNP activists before police arrived. He said the situation subsequently escalated into clashes between workers and police.
However, protesting workers alleged that BNP activists assaulted them while they were holding a peaceful demonstration, following which police launched an operation.
Additional Superintendent of Police Tarek Al Mehedi said five people had been detained so far.
Workers had also blocked the Dhaka-Narayanganj Link Road on Monday and Tuesday over the same demands. Tuesday’s clashes reportedly left around 10 police personnel injured, while four workers were detained.
The workers have placed five demands, including a minimum monthly wage of Tk30,000, rationing facilities in all garment factories, trade union rights, justice for the killings of workers including Amzad Hossain Kamal, an end to arbitrary layoffs and full implementation of labour laws.
