Police use tear gas to break up ceramics factory workers' protest in Gazipur

The situation returned to normal after the protesters were dispersed from the highway around 8:30am, say police

Workers of RAK Ceramics factory in Gazipur’s Sreepur Upazila have staged a demonstration by blocking the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway to press home a series of demands, including backpay.

The protesters began descending on the highway in Sreepur's Nayanpur area around 6:30am on Sunday. The demonstration continued for over two hours, bringing traffic on both sides of the highway to a standstill.

Law enforcement later dispersed the protesters by firing tear gas shells, according to Inspector Abdul Latif of the Gazipur Industrial Police.

After the workers cleared the highway, normal traffic resumed around 8:30am, he said.

Among the workers’ demands were the payment of seven months' arrears on salary increments by Aug 1, proper job placements based on educational qualifications, and the immediate removal of unqualified individuals from positions they currently hold.

They also demanded annual salary adjustments in February in line with the prevailing economic conditions, and insisted that the days workers were absent due to protests be counted as official working days for attendance and pay purposes.

The workers further called for a fair salary structure for both new and existing employees, setting the minimum daily wage for civil staff at Tk 500, increasing the monthly attendance bonus to Tk 1,500, and ensuring that no worker is dismissed as a result of the protest.

They also demanded the reinstatement of previous benefits, including elderly allowances, and the removal of Indian officials serving in various roles within the company.

Protesting workers said they had raised these demands several times in the past, but the factory authorities continued to ignore them.

They accused management of depriving them of their legitimate rights, leaving them with no alternative but to take to the streets.

On receiving news of the protest, law enforcers from Sreepur Police Station, the Industrial Police, and the Maona Highway Police rushed to the scene and tried to persuade the workers to clear the road.

However, the workers refused to comply and continued their blockade.

Sreepur Police Station chief Muhammad Abdul Barik said the police initially attempted to resolve the situation peacefully by reasoning with the workers. When that failed, tear gas was used to break up the gathering and clear the highway.

Abdur Razzak, an official from RAK Ceramics’ Human Resources and Administration Department, said discussions are underway between factory management and senior authorities regarding the workers’ demands.

However, he alleged that instead of allowing time for resolution, some workers incited others to occupy the highway and block traffic.