Fresh tremor shakes quake-cracked building, triggering worker protest in Narayanganj

Over 50 workers have suffered injuries trying to rush out of a garment factory in Rupganj

Workers of a readymade garment factory in Narayanganj’s Rupganj have demonstrated after being forced to work inside the building that had been cracked in places by the earthquake that struck Bangladesh on Friday.

The demonstrators vandalised five vehicles. Over 50 workers were injured when they tried to rush out of their workplace after a fresh tremor on Saturday morning.

Industrial Police confirmed the incident took place at Robintext Bangladesh at Bhulta.

Cracks emerged on the factory’s two buildings after the 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck on Friday. After an assessment of the damage, which was repaired by their own engineers, the factory authorities asked workers to return to their duties.

Operations at the factory resumed at 9am. Fresh tremors panicked the workers, prompting them to leave work in rage. At least 50 workers were injured in the rush to run to safety.

The news of workers getting injured spread, triggering the protest, which saw five vehicles on the factory premises getting damaged, said Selim Badsha, inspector of Industrial Police.

Rupganj Police chief Tariqul Islam said the factory owner was holding a meeting with workers’ representatives to decide whether the buildings’ current condition permitted the factory’s operation to continue.