At least 20 people, including women, were injured in two-way clashes between workers of two garment factories in Chittagong EPZ. Workers of two factories clashed with each other on Saturday due to an incident of last Wednesday. Later, police and army brought the situation under control. One of the two factories has been declared closed till next Monday and the other until next Tuesday. The clash started at around 9 am on Saturday and lasted for more than an hour. During this time, there was an incident of chasing and throwing bricks.
Bepza, the police, Workers and local sources said, The workers of various garment factories have been protesting for several days for various demands, including an annual salary increase of 9 percent. In the face of their agitation, many factory authorities accepted the demand. Apparently, the workers of other factories also started agitation on the same demand. The workers of the JMS factory, which is a joint venture between China and Bangladesh, were protesting last Wednesday by completely closing the customs gate of EPZ to demand an increase in wages. At that time, the workers of the Korean company Marymo wanted to go out when they had a holiday. But they could not get out because the gate was closed. At this time the workers of Marymore pressured the workers of JMS Group to open the gate. As they did not open the gate, at one point the Marimor workers forced the gate open and left. At that time the first two sides clashed. There was no problem as the JMS factory was closed last Thursday. However, around 9:00 a.m. yesterday, workers of JMS on road number one of EPZ and Marimo factory on the other side of the road clashed again. At this time, one party accused the other party of throwing stones at the factory. Later, at least 6,000 workers of the two units of Marimo and most of the nearly 6,000 workers of JMS were involved in the clash. This time they attacked each other with sticks. At least 20 people including women workers were injured. 10 of the injured have been sent to Chittagong Medical College Hospital for treatment. Among them is Mahibul (২৬), Farida (৪০), Elias (৩৪), electricity (৩০), Shiuli (২৪), fickle (২৮) And Manoara (৩৩) Names of 7 people have been found.
EGZ police received information about the fight between workers of two industrial groups, The industrial police and the army reached the spot and brought the situation under control by evacuating the two sides. Meanwhile, a holiday was declared in a factory around noon and the workers were sent home. Afternoon is given off in the other factory as well. At the same time, to avoid conflict between the two groups, the Marimo factory will be closed until next Monday and will be opened on Tuesday. On the other hand, JMS announced a holiday till next Tuesday and will start on Wednesday, said Mohammad Abdus Sobhan, executive director of Bepza.
Officer-in-Charge of EPZ Police Station (OC) Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman told Daily Azadi yesterday, This is not a conflict over salary matters. In fact, they wasted two days from ego. He said, During the agitation, one factory worker clashed with another factory worker over the opening of the main gate of EPZ. At one point, there was a clash between them. Meanwhile, one side started throwing stones at the other side. Many people were injured and admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital. He further said, Currently the situation is under control. Army is present at the spot. The OC said that there was no case regarding the incident, No one came to the police station with a complaint.
Executive Director of Chittagong Export Processing Zone. Abdus Sobhan said, Misunderstandings led to fights between JMS and Marimo factory workers. Now the situation is calm. Two factories have been given leave. One of the two factories will be closed until next Monday and the other until Tuesday. The situation in EPZ is completely calm. Normal production is going on in other factories. This is not a clash over salary allowances, he said, There was a clash between the workers of the two factories due to quarreling and stone pelting. He further said, Here is the army, Navy, Industrial Police and Metropolitan Police are deployed.
Some factory owners said, Clashes took place today as a result of Wednesday’s clashes. In this regard, Bepja and the police administration needed to be more careful. However, an official of the Industrial Police said, They never imagined that a small event would become so big. However, members of law and order forces including the police were stationed in the EPZ since morning. But the way in which nearly 12 thousand workers of two factories have clashed is surprising.
Source: dainikazadi.net
