ASHULIA, Dhaka — Police fired tear gas shells and rubber bullets to disperse protesting garment workers in Ashulia, Savar, on Tuesday morning, leaving at least two workers injured, including a woman.
The unrest continued as workers pressed for a minimum wage and two other demands, staging work stoppages and demonstrations at several garment factories in the Jamgora and Nischintapur areas.
The injured workers were identified as Alamgir and Razia. Both sustained rubber bullet injuries, with Razia hit in the head. She was later referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for better treatment.
According to police and eyewitnesses, workers at the New Age garment factory in Nischintapur arrived for work on Tuesday morning but found a notice announcing an indefinite closure of the facility at its main entrance. They subsequently staged a protest.
Meanwhile, workers at several factories in Jamgora reported for duty but refused to enter their workplaces, instead observing work stoppages.
At one point, the demonstrators moved towards the gates of nearby factories before attempting to block the Abdullahpur-Baipail road.
Police then chased the protesters and fired tear gas shells and rubber bullets to disperse them, witnesses said.
Harun-or-Rashid, operations manager of Ashulia Women and Children Hospital, said two garment workers arrived at the hospital with rubber bullet injuries. One of them, a female worker, had been struck in the head and was referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Officer-in-Charge of Ashulia Police Station Tarikul Islam confirmed the incident, saying police intervened after workers attempted to take to the streets following their work stoppage inside factories.
Following the unrest, authorities at several garment factories in the Jamgora and Nischintapur areas declared a general holiday, he added.
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