Gazipur Deploys 10 BGB Platoons Amid Garment Workers’ Protests

Ten platoons of the BGB have been deployed at the scene to maintain a normal situation.

Garment workers continued their protests in the industrial areas of Gazipur on Monday, demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000 and other benefits, prompting authorities to deploy 10 platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

Workers from several garment factories took positions at different points along the highway in Konabari, Safipur, Mouchak and Palli Bidyut from Monday morning, bringing traffic on the Dhaka-Tangail highway to a halt.

Twenty-one executive magistrates are overseeing the deployment of BGB personnel to help maintain law and order in the industrial areas.

Gazipur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Nurul Karim Bhuiyan confirmed the deployment on Monday morning. He said the BGB had been deployed in response to the ongoing labour unrest to maintain normalcy.

He added that law enforcement agencies were on alert to prevent damage to public property or harm to people's lives and property in the name of protests. Members of other security forces were also on standby, he said.

Workers said rising prices of essential commodities had made it increasingly difficult to support their families on their current wages. They said a gas cylinder alone costs around Tk 2,500.

The workers argued that forming a new wage board would not be enough and called for the authorities to determine and announce a revised wage structure quickly. They are demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000.

The protesters maintained that their movement was peaceful, alleging that outsiders were responsible for vandalism and arson and were entering their ranks to escalate the situation.

Authorities at several factories in Konabari, Safipur, Mouchak and Palli Bidyut declared a general holiday from 8am on Monday because of the unrest. Industrial police could not immediately confirm how many factories had been closed that day.

Gazipur Industrial Police Superintendent Amzad Hossain said more than 100 factories in the district had declared a general holiday on Sunday because of the workers' movement. Protests continued in several areas on Monday, but the number of factories closed that day had yet to be confirmed.

On Sunday, protests spread across Konabari, Kashimpur, Mouchak, Safipur, Chandra and Palli Bidyut. Highway blockades disrupted traffic on both the Dhaka-Tangail and Dhaka-Mymensingh highways.

Clashes and chases between workers and law enforcement personnel were reported in some areas. A police box in Konabari and several locations in Palli Bidyut were set on fire, while vehicles were vandalised. Police used tear gas and sound grenades to bring the situation under control, after which BGB personnel were deployed to strengthen security.

Workers and law enforcement personnel were injured in clashes, arson and vandalism linked to the protests. Several people were also reportedly detained.

With demonstrations continuing across the industrial belt, factories, highways and surrounding areas remained tense.