RMG protest spread to Gazipur

Workers of a ready-made garment factory smashed vehicles and blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway on Monday morning in Gazipur demanding introduction of lunch allowance and a hike in attendance bonus.

Workers of 'Uni Gears', located in Sadr Upazila's Boardbazar Barabari area took to the streets around 8am, Industrial Police Inspector Mohammad Selim Khan said.

"They demanded raising attendance bonus to Tk 600 from the existing Tk 400 and payment of Tk 400 as lunch fees," he said.

The workers pelted stones at vehicles.

Police intervened after a brief stand-off and pitched battles erupted sporadically, the Inspector said.

Police resorted to baton-charge and lobbed teargas shells to bring the situation under control, he said. "The workers dispersed around 9am after which traffic on the highway resumed."

"Huge number of police has been deployed in the area."

Earlier on Saturday, 'UNi Gears' workers agitated to uphold the same demands, but called off their protests after they were assured negotiations by the management.

But as the management did not start negotiations, they hit the streets on Monday again.