Labour unrest erupts in Ashulia over demand for 15% increment

Labour unrest has erupted in several garment factories in the Ashulia industrial area, Savar, Dhaka, following the rejection of the government's proposed annual increment of 4 percent. Workers are demanding a 15 percent increase. In response to the unrest, at least 12 factories in the Narsinghpur area of Ashulia declared a general holiday on Wednesday morning.

According to sources from the industrial police and the industry, workers from several factories, including Hamim Group, Sharmin Group, Medlar, Next Collection, Al Muslim, and Setara Group, gathered in the morning and stopped work, demanding a higher increment and other various demands. Workers from other factories, such as New Age, Deco, and Ethical, also stopped working and sat on the floors. Due to the workers' protest, factories like NASA and Trouser Line declared a shutdown under Section 13(1) of the Labor Law. Additionally, Bando Design declared a holiday. Workers from Hamim and Knit Asia left the factories.

Meanwhile, additional police and military personnel have been deployed at key points in the industrial area to avoid disorder.

Mohammad Mominul Islam Bhuiyan, Superintendent of Police of Industrial Police-1, said that the workers were not satisfied with the increased salary, which is why they stopped working. However, they have not caused any unrest or disorder. Due to the work stoppage, at least 12 garment factories have declared a general holiday today.