RMG workers clash with cops over minimum wage

Over 50 garment workers were injured in an hour-long clash with industrial police while the workers were demonstrating at Monipur in Sadar upazila of Gazipur yesterday demanding Tk 8,000 as their minimum monthly wage.Mosharaf Hossain, assistant superintendent of Gazipur Industrial Police, said the clash erupted around 11:00am as the workers of Kasopia Fashions Ltd tried to block Dhaka-Mymensingh highway.Later, the workers of two other factories–Jahin Tex Ltd and Givency Fashions Ltd–joined the agitations, he said.Workers said police fired tear and charged them with batons.Locals said the agitating workers threw brick chips at police. The injured were taken to the nearby clinics and hospitals.To avoid unrest, the authorities of the two factories declared holiday for yesterday.Workers of Kasopia Fashions said they would not join their work if the demand is not met. Azgar Ali, production manager of Kasopia, said they have nothing to do unless any formal declaration over the demand comes from the government.Earlier on Tuesday, police fired rubber bullets during a demonstration of the workers from the three factories, injuring at least 10 workers.