Dhaka (AsiaNews) - At least 50 people were injured in clashes between textile workers c and the police yesterday in Ashulia, the industrial district of Dhaka. Workers blocked the highway linking the capital with Tangail, central Bangladesh, demanding a minimum wage increase and other benefits. In response, the police charged the protesters to clear the area and restore circulation. Mostafizur Rahimn, chief of police of the district, reports that "about 7 thousand workers from 20 textile companies organized [yesterday] a protest in Ashulia, but we brought the situation under control by dispersing them with the use of tear gas."
The textile and clothing sector workers took to the streets to demand an increase
in the minimum wage, set at 103 dollars a month, along with other concessions
including a lunch break. Rakib Hossian, a 32 year-old worker, says he is unable
to support his family on "64 dollars" per month. He has been working for
the Ha-Meem textile group for two years.
According to the workers who took to the streets, the demonstration was
peaceful in nature but the police attack triggered the situation. The police chief
- trading blame and responsibility - rejects the accusations and points his finger
at the workers who "attacked us first."
Last week all companies in the textile sector were closed for three days due to
strikes and demonstrations. Public opinion and civil society are still shaken
by the collapse
of the factory-tower on April 27 last which has caused more than a thousand
deaths and touched people's hearts at home and abroad. According organizations
to protect the rights of workers, in the last 10 years in Bangladesh - second
largest producer of textiles after China - at least 2 thousand people have died
in fires or accidents in factories. Rosaline Costa, an activist for human
rights, ensures that the protest will continue until the workers' demands are
heeded.