Industrial Areas Return to Calm as Factory Production Resumes in Gazipur

The industrial areas, shaken by the workers’ movement, are slowly calming down. For the past 6 days, Gazipur, Savar and other areas were in turmoil over the workers’ demands. The workers demanded a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000, an end to blacklisting of workers and the cancellation of unfair dismissals. The wage board was formed to raise workers’ pay, and talks were held with worker leaders and owners. The law and order forces also took action.

Because of all this, workers of most factories returned to work yesterday. In the morning, workers blocked a road in Ashulia of Savar and protested. They and the police chased each other, and a police vehicle was damaged. Fearing unrest, 70 factories in Ashulia were declared closed for the day. But the situation became calm after a short time. Here are the reports sent by our correspondents on the overall condition of the workers’ movement.

Mr. Md. Delwar Hossain reports from Gazipur that the situation in the industrial area has mostly returned to normal after the workers’ movement and several days of clashes and vandalism. Yesterday, traffic was normal on the Dhaka Mymensingh and Dhaka Tangail highways and other important roads of the district. No clash, vandalism or major unpleasant incident was reported anywhere. Members of the law and order forces were seen taking a strict stand at key points of the industrial area. Production went on in most factories, but some factories are still closed.

Gazipur Superintendent of Police Mr. Mohammad Jashim Uddin said there is evidence that the banned Awami League was involved in the vandalism and sabotage of the past few days. He said police are on alert to keep the situation under control. Efforts are on to identify those involved in sabotage and bring them under the law. The night before last, more than 100 hooligans and outsiders allegedly vandalised several garment factories in the Master Bari area of Gargaria in Sreepur. They also allegedly forced workers out and made the factories shut down.

Sreepur police say they are trying to identify the attackers from CCTV footage and arrest them. Meanwhile, local BNP leaders and activists are also watching the movements of Awami League leaders and activists in various areas. They were seen staying alert around factories to stop any attempt to provoke workers into sabotage and vandalism. In Konabari, Kaliakair, Tongi and other areas, BNP leaders and activists are working to bring workers back to work and keep the factory environment normal.

Mr. Raufur Rahman Parag reports from Ashulia that the industrial area of Savar and Ashulia has become more unstable over the past 6 days. Ordinary workers of various garment factories allege that some worker leaders and unruly workers gave provocative speeches and acted irresponsibly. They say this pushed the movement in a different direction. They claim that instead of solving the real problems of workers, some leaders are using the movement for their own gain.

On one side this creates chaos and disorder in the industrial area. On the other side, ordinary workers, businessmen, transport workers and local people are suffering badly. Savar and Ashulia are among the largest garment areas of the country. Thousands of garment factories there employ lakhs of workers. Their livelihood, their families’ financial security and an important part of the national economy are linked to this industry. So the fair demands of workers, their pay and allowances, working conditions and job security are very important.

But recently, concern has grown across the industrial area over movements, road blockades, vehicle vandalism, attacks on factories and unrest at workplaces over various demands. Ordinary workers allege that when a factory has a problem with pay, allowances or other benefits, some worker leaders heat up the situation instead of seeking a solution through talks. They spread statements on social media, hold rallies in front of factories and spread tension among workers. They try to push the movement in another direction and gain benefit from it.

In some cases, the problem of one factory spreads to workers of other factories too. As a result, fear and uncertainty spread across the whole industrial area. A worker of another garment factory in Savar said, ‘We want our fair rights to be ensured. But blocking roads, vandalising vehicles or stopping workers of other factories from going to work in the name of a movement cannot be supported in any way. Because of those involved, ordinary workers get a bad name. No one should be allowed to serve their own interest in the name of protecting workers.’

Mr. Md. Selim Ahmed reports from Savar that eight cases have been filed so far on charges of inciting the garment workers’ movement in the Savar and Ashulia industrial area. Police have arrested 30 people in these cases. Dhaka District Superintendent of Police Ms. Shamima Parvin gave this information to journalists in front of the Al Muslim Group factory in Savar yesterday. She said that two cases were filed at Savar Model Police Station and six at Ashulia Police Station for creating an unstable situation and inciting the movement. Several more cases are in process.

Dhaka Range DIG Mr. Mustafizur Rahman said that the situation was normal yesterday and no unpleasant incident took place anywhere. He said, ‘I went to Gazipur and Narayanganj. Factories are running in a safe environment everywhere.’ He also said that workers are working in a safe environment in Ashulia, Savar and Dhamrai.

Mr. Md. Abdul Mannan reports from Kaliakair (Gazipur) that the movement for higher pay on the Dhaka Tangail highway in Kaliakair has calmed down. The roads and highways are now normal, and vehicles are moving. Workers are joining mills and factories in groups. The highway was in turmoil for the past one week and saw protests, blockades and vehicle burning. But yesterday, the scene on that highway was completely different. From morning, no disorder was reported on the Dhaka Tangail highway.

A tour of Palli Bidyut, Chandra Bypass, Shafipur and Mouchak showed that traffic was fully normal in all these areas. Traffic was also normal yesterday, but there was some tension in the Chandra Palli Bidyut area. The law and order forces brought it under control. Law and order forces have been deployed at various points of the highway since morning. BNP leaders and activists are also in the field. No disorder was reported anywhere. Traffic is fully normal on both the Dhaka Tangail and Chandra Nabinagar highways.

Fearing that Awami terrorists are making a planned attempt to create chaos in the country, Kaliakair BNP took position under the Chandra overbridge from the morning of yesterday.