1 killed, 41 injured as RMG unrest turns violent again

The ongoing garment worker unrest escalated into violence in the Ashulia industrial zone on Monday (30 September), resulting in a worker being shot dead during a clash involving protesting factory workers, outsiders, and law enforcement agencies, according to industrial sources.

During the clash, at least 41 individuals were injured, including 30 workers, of which at least five sustained gunshot injuries, and 11 law enforcement personnel, including an industrial police superintendent, as confirmed by various hospital sources.

The deceased worker has been identified as Kawsar Hossain Khan, 27, who worked as an operator of Mango Tex Limited, Ashulia. He was a resident of Madhya Ratanpur in Mehendiganj upazila, Barishal.

Dr Enamul Haque Mia from the emergency department of Enam Medical College Hospital stated that Kawsar along with the other injured individuals brought to the hospital had gunshot wounds. 

"These are not pellet injuries; they are direct bullet wounds," he said, adding that some of the patients receiving treatment were in a critical condition.

Eyewitnesses and several workers told TBS that in the morning, misinformation spread across the industrial area of Zirabo that some workers were locked and being beaten at Mandal Knitwear.

They alleged that the factory's owner had detained and assaulted them after they demanded a hike in wage, and claimed that two workers had gone missing the previous day. The workers had been protesting for the past 2-3 days with similar grievances.

Around 10:30am, workers from nearby factories joined the protest. A clash erupted between workers and law enforcement when security forces attempted to intervene. 

During the confrontation, law enforcement used tear gas and live ammunition to disperse the crowd, resulting in several injuries, and at least five police vehicles were vandalised during the unrest.

The BGMEA in a statement said two outsiders opened fire at the factory, shattering windows and damaging furniture. In response, law enforcement confronted both workers and outsiders, who vandalised several police vehicles.

As tensions escalated, law enforcers were compelled to fire in self-defence, resulting in injuries to both officers and workers, said the BGMEA. 

Injured workers were admitted to local PMK Hospital and Enam Medical College Hospital, where Kawsar was later pronounced dead. The family of Kawsar has been compensated with Tk5 lakh, it added.

The BGMEA also said currently 11 injured law enforcement members are receiving treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka. 

Meanwhile, Khairul Mamun Mintu, legal affairs secretary of the Bangladesh Garment and Sweater Workers Trade Union Centre, said, "The death of a worker from gunfire during a clash with law enforcement is absolutely unacceptable."

The law enforcers had ample opportunity to prevent this tragic incident, but instead, they resorted to direct gunfire. They maintained patience for so long and then lost all restraint in just one day, he said.

Allegations of union leaders being bribed

Allegations have emerged that some trade union leaders received bribes from factory authorities to manage worker unrest caused by non-payment. 

TBS has obtained three receipts showing that labour leaders received payments from the Birds Group, amounting to Tk5 lakh, Tk2.3 lakh and Tk1 lakh.

One of the officials from the Birds Group, speaking unanimously, admitted to bribing the labour leaders.

Some local labour activists alleged that Ibrahim Hossain, a regional leader of the Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation, coordinated the bribery scheme. 

Despite repeated attempts, Ibrahim could not be reached for comment.

Babul Akter, president of the Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation, said they have received allegations against Ibrahim and have instructed him not to participate in any programmes with the federation's leadership.

BGMEA senior vice-president Abdullah-Hil Rakib said they asked Birds Group to pay workers dues as early as possible.

Earlier in the morning, Birds Group workers blocked the Nabinagar-Chandra Highway in protest. Four of the company's factories were announced closed effective from 28 August.

During a BGMEA meeting, it was agreed that all legal dues owed to the workers would be settled by Monday. However, when Birds authorities later said they could not make the payments, the frustrated workers resumed the blockade.

Manufacturers demand more security

Manufacturers in Bangladesh's RMG sector have called for strengthened safety and security to maintain operations.

Despite addressing major worker demands, factory closures continue, with 31 declared shut on Monday, they said at a meeting with the journalists. 

Abdullah Hil Rakib, senior vice president of BGMEA, said that they are demanding safety and security and if these are not ensured, it will be tough for them to keep factories operational.

Nazmul Kabir, managing director of AR Jeans Producer Ltd, shared that although his LEED-certified factory faced an arson attempt, he formed a protection team of 300 workers upon the Bangladesh Army's advice. 

However, he expressed concern that ongoing threats from outsiders make it impossible to operate safely.