Baton and brick: RMG workers clash with police, 50 hurt

Chaos erupted Tuesday outside the Bangladesh Secretariat as batons met brick chips in a furious clash between police and garment workers. 

At least 50 lay injured—47 workers, three cops—after a 500-strong march demanding arrear wages, Eid bonuses, and maternity dues spiralled into violence. The streets choked, and the fight is far from over.  

It started at noon. Workers from TNZ Apparels, Apparel Plus Echo Ltd, Roar Fashion Ltd, Style Craft Garments, and more poured from the National Press Club, voices raised for pay long owed. 

Shahbagh Police OC Mohammad Khalid Mansur, citing witnesses, said they marched towards the Labour Ministry. Link Road near the Secretariat became the flashpoint—police barred the way, and tempers snapped. Bricks flew at officers; sound grenades and tear gas roared back. “They dispersed,” Khalid said.  

The toll: 50 down, including three policemen hauled to a hospital, Khalid confirmed. 

Ruhul Amin, head of the Bangladesh Garments and Sweaters Workers Union, pegged worker injuries at 40, fury in his count. Amin said blink: “We’ll keep moving until they pay.”

Paltan intersection and beyond froze—cars stalled, horns mute—as sporadic scuffles scarred the asphalt.