Police on Thursday (November 29) reportedly foiled an attempt by aggrieved workers of NZ Group’s CA Knitwear Limited to block Dhaka-Mymensingh highway at Gazipur to protest against the dismissal of some workers of the concerned factory, claimed media reports.
Gazipur Industrial police, Maona highway police, and members of the Joydebpur police station reportedly rushed to the site to try and calm the situation failing which the police reportedly lobbed tear gas shells to disperse the protesting RMG workers in an effort to remove them from the highway.
As per reports, the agitation followed after an employee of the concerned manufacturing unit was reportedly called from the production floor and asked to sign on a white paper four-to-five days ago, refusing to do which, the employee was reportedly forced out of the factory. Further on the day of the incident, about 400 workers were reportedly barred from entering the factory when they reported for work on Thursday morning.
These incidents eventually led the workers to demonstrate on the highway causing heavy traffic congestion between 8-11am.
“Workers blocked the highway to protest the dismissal of workers. After [we] reassured them their demands would be met, they were told to leave the road, which they refused to do until they met the factory owner,” reportedly maintained Additional Superintendent of Gazipur Industrial Police (ASP) Saheb Ali Pathan while speaking to the media.
Several workers reportedly complained CA Knitwear dismisses people for trivial offences such as taking prayer-time breaks, asking for leave, and being late for work due to emergency. The workers also alleged that the authorities also refuse to pay dues to dismissed workers.
