DHAKA: Bangladesh police yesterday arrested 23 garment workers on charges of vandalism after tens of thousands of staff last week held violent protests that shut down 300 factories.
Police said the workers were rounded up overnight in connection with the unrest in which at least 100 people were injured and dozens of factories were damaged, sparking concern for a sector that is key to the national economy.
The arrests came after manufacturers in the Ashulia industrial area outside the capital Dhaka shut the plants, which make clothes for global retailers such as Wal-Mart, H&M and Gap, due to the rioting over low wages.
“We have arrested 23 workers since Sunday evening for their roles in the violence. We won’t tolerate any vandalism or unruly behavior,” police sub-inspector Sadiq said.
“Ashulia is largely peaceful today. Some protesters tried to gather. But they left because of tight security.” Crowds of angry workers last week clashed with police, blocked key highways, attacked factories and torched vehicles.
Employees — who work 10-16 hours a day, six days a week for the lowest garment sector wages in the world — were demanding a 50 percent hike in salaries and subsidized food to cope with rising cost of living.
In 2010, Bangladesh’s garment factories were hit by months of violent protests that forced the government and factory owners to increase wages by 80 percent to a minimum $37 per month.
n FROM: AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE
The apparel exports sector, which earned $19 billion for the country last year, is the mainstay of Bangladesh economy, accounting for 80 percent of its total shipments.
Exporters said they cannot raise wages as they have been hit by three consecutive months of negative growth, due to plunging orders from the debt-burdened European Union, which buys more than half of Bangladesh’s merchandise.
Bangladesh arrests 23 workers over wage riots
