RMG factory set on fire, three hurt in Gazipur

At least three garment workers were injured, and a factory was set on fire during a clash between two groups of workers in Gazipur's Panishail area yesterday.

The clash ensued around 11:30am and continued for over four hours, turning the area to a battleground, said locals.

The factory of Amazon Knitwear Ltd was set on fire by some agitating workers, said fire fighters and police.

Md Sarwar Alam, superintendent of Industrial Police in Gazipur, said workers at Beximco Industrial Park started their agitation demanding unpaid salaries on Dhaka-Tangail highway in Gazipur's Kashimpur area around 7:00am for the fifth consecutive day, blocking the Chakraborty intersection.

As vehicular movement remain halted at the intersection, vehicles resorted to use alternative routes, said Rafiqul Islam, a sub-inspector of Gazipur Industrial Police.

A protester said they continued their demonstration as they are yet to receive any assurance from the authorities.

The workers were still blocking the intersection till last reported at 8:00pm yesterday.

Around 41,000 people work in garment and ceramic factories at Beximco Industrial Park, according to Industrial Police.

Amid the agitation of Beximco's workers, authorities of at least 20 other garment factories in the area, including Doreen Fashion Ltd, announced holiday fearing that the movement might flare up.

Earlier on Sunday, Doreen's factory reopened after a 16-day closure since November 1 following recent workers' unrest.

When its workers came to the factory yesterday morning, they were infuriated to see the closure notice again on the factory gate, and they later joined the agitation of Beximco's workers.

The protesters tried to bring in workers of other factories to strengthen their agitation, said police and locals.

As part of this efforts, some agitating workers went to Amazon Knitwear's factory, but their workers refused to join the protests, which triggered the clash.

At least three protesters were injured in the clash, said a senior officer of Gazipur Industrial Police, wishing anonymity.

Later at around 11:40am, the protesters set fire to the factory, he added.

On information, two firefighting units rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control around 3:40pm, said Abdullah Arefin, deputy assistant director of Gazipur Fire Service.

The extent of damages could not be ascertained immediately, he added.

Beximco Industrial Park and the Doreen Fashion Ltd authorities could not be reached over phone for their comment.