File photo.
Special Correspondent //

Again, the Ashulia industrial area is in turmoil due to worker protests. Workers in several factories in Ashulia went on strike on Wednesday as well, demanding withdrawal of the government-announced annual 9 percent increment and some other new demands.

Despite joining work on Wednesday morning, workers in 25 factories stopped production and left. A general holiday has been declared in several factories in the wake of the situation.

According to industrial police sources, three factories of the NASA Group have been declared closed under Section 13(1). In addition, holidays were declared at various times before noon as workers in 25-30 factories did not join work. Later, the workers left the factories. According to information from the BGMEA, the organization of ready-made garment industry owners, the number of factories in Ashulia where work was stopped or workers left without working is 25 today, Wednesday, demanding an increment of 15 to 20 percent.

However, suddenly, law enforcement agencies and the owners are looking into the fuel behind such unrest in the garment sector. Detectives are investigating who is fueling such incidents. In addition, an investigation is also being conducted to see if there is any third-party manipulation behind the workers’ dissatisfaction.

Bricks were hurled at several factories in Ashulia on Wednesday. Members of the joint forces are also on alert to avoid major conflict-related unpleasant situations. Law enforcement agencies were present at various points on the road.

In the last three months, workers have taken to the streets several times in Ashulia, Savar and Gazipur with various demands. However, Ashulia was the most turbulent. Many factories have been vandalized and attacked in phases. Although the situation has gradually calmed down due to the activities of the government and law enforcement agencies, the owners are worried about the sudden resurgence of workers’ dissatisfaction in Ashulia. A tripartite meeting will be held tomorrow to discuss the increment in the emerging situation.

Meanwhile, Labor and Employment Advisor M Sakhawat Hossain said that there is a kind of unrest in the industrial sector. This unrest has been created especially in the ready-made garment sector. The corrupt government and its friendly countries are creating some problems by getting involved. The workers are not understanding some of the problems. He said this at a program in Agargaon on Wednesday.

Mohammad Mominul Islam Bhuiyan, Superintendent of Police of Industrial Area Police-1 in Ashulia, told the media that the workers started the strike from the morning on several demands, including a 15 percent increase in annual salary and allowances and holiday pay. At one stage, some workers tried to get other workers out by throwing bricks at some garment factories. Later, the factory authorities declared a general holiday in phases.
Expressed their opinion.