The factory authorities, the police and the administration do not listen to any of the protesting Beximco factory workers. They have said that they will not leave the road without taking the salary. Local residents are also angry with this labor movement. The normal public life of the area has almost stopped.
Beximco workers blocked the road till 7 pm. On the other hand, the Amazon knitwear factory was burned to ashes by the angry workers for not joining the movement.
Workers of Beximco’s Gazipur factory continued their protest and blockaded the Chandra-Navinagar road for three consecutive days demanding unpaid salaries for the month of October. On the other hand, the workers of that factory blocked the road in Jirani Bazar area to demand the opening of Dorin Fashion in Panishail area, which was closed indefinitely. It was announced that 20 factories across the metropolitan area would be closed due to the protest of the workers of the two factories. Angry workers set Amazon’s knitwear factory on fire. Meanwhile, a chase-and-escape incident took place between the workers of the two factories and the locals. At least 10 workers were injured.
According to the police, workers and local sources, the Beximco Industrial Park workers were protesting by blocking the Dhaka-Tangail highway for the third day since Monday morning to demand their October salary. At the same time, another factory called Dorin Fashion in Panishail area of Gazipur city was announced to be closed indefinitely and the workers of that factory started protesting. Meanwhile, the workers of the two tire factories set fire and abandoned things in Chakraborty and Jirani Bazar areas on Chandra-Navinagar road and started protesting and practicing with batteries. This spread panic in the area. Meanwhile, all the shops around were closed.
Due to this incident, at least 20 factories in the Gazipur metropolitan area of Kashimpur and Jirani were announced closed. However, Amazon’s knitwear factory in nearby Ashulia Purvakaltasuti district was operating. When the agitators found out, they went in front of the factory and begged the workers to join their movement. The factory workers refused to join the movement, however.
Meanwhile, the workers of the Beximke and Dorin factories attacked the shops in the area. Around 11:00 am, local knitwear factory workers and Amazon chased Beximco and Dorin factory workers. This resulted in a fight between the two parties.
At one point the workers of the Beximco and Dorin fashion factories organized and attacked the Amazon factory and initially caused extensive vandalism. Later they set fire to the factory.
The workers of the two factories stopped the fire service personnel on their way to the scene after receiving the information. The fire service personnel reached the spot around 3 pm, but before that, all the goods and machinery of the factory were completely burnt.
Abdullah Al Arefin, Deputy Assistant Director of Gazipur Fire Service, said two units of Kashimpur Fire Brigade were sent to the scene after receiving the information. However, it could not be achieved in time due to disruption of workers. Later, the fire will be extinguished going to the scene with the help of the army.
Kashimpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Saiful Islam said that due to the blockade of the workers, the police and fire services could not reach the spot in time. The fire service went later, but the factory burned down before that.
He also said that Beximco factories have ceramic, textile and clothing factories. 36,000 clothing and textile workers have unpaid wages. The owner Salman F Rahman is now in jail. Factory officials said they will pay the workers’ wages on November 20.
Aminul Islam/SR/GKS
How can factory owners and local authorities improve communication with workers to prevent future unrest?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Labor Rights Expert
Editor: Good morning, and welcome to Time.news! Today, we have with us Dr. Sara Ahmed, a renowned labor rights expert who has extensively studied workers’ movements in Bangladesh. We’re discussing a recent and intense situation involving Beximco factory workers and broader implications for labor rights in the region. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Ahmed.
Dr. Ahmed: Thank you for having me. It’s an urgent and critical topic, especially given the current unrest.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. The Beximco workers have been protesting for three days demanding unpaid salaries for October, which has led to significant disruptions—including blocking the Dhaka-Tangail highway. Why do you think the workers felt driven to such drastic measures?
Dr. Ahmed: When workers find themselves in positions where they have no other recourse, protest becomes their last option. Many of these workers depend entirely on their wages for survival, and when those wages are withheld, it creates not just economic distress but a sense of injustice. The escalation to blocking the highway indicates their desperation and the seriousness of their plight.
Editor: It’s alarming to hear that the protests have escalated to violence, such as the burning of the Amazon knitwear factory by workers. What does this say about the state of worker relations and potential solidarity among them?
Dr. Ahmed: This is quite a concerning development. The violence likely stems from frustration, not just over unpaid wages, but also from perceived injustices and a lack of support from other factories. Workers may have expected solidarity from others but found betrayal instead when Amazon workers refused to join their cause. This not only fractures potential alliances but can also exacerbate tensions within the labor community itself.
Editor: There’s mention of at least 20 factories across the metropolitan area shutting down due to these protests. How do such actions ripple through the local economy and community?
Dr. Ahmed: The ramifications are significant. When factories close, it doesn’t just affect the workers employed there; it impacts local vendors, service providers, and even families that depend on the wages of factory workers. The economic consequences can exacerbate existing challenges within the community where many families already live on the brink of poverty. Added to that, prolonged protests can lead to a hostile environment, making the area less attractive for investment.
Editor: In light of these events, what should the factory authorities, police, and administration be doing differently to address the workers’ grievances?
Dr. Ahmed: Communication is key. First, the factory authorities need to address the workers’ claims transparently and promptly. Creating channels for dialogue and addressing the workers’ concerns can often prevent escalation. Moreover, local authorities should mediate to ensure that protests remain peaceful and the workers’ rights are respected. Instead of pushing back against protests with force, they should foster a climate of cooperation and understanding.
Editor: Given the situation, what can we expect moving forward? Is there potential for improvement, or are we likely to see more unrest?
Dr. Ahmed: The potential for improvement hinges largely on the response from factory owners and the government. If they choose to engage constructively with the workers, there could be a path toward resolving these issues. However, if silence continues or if repressive measures are employed, we may see more unrest. The workers’ movement is not isolated; rather, it reflects broader systemic issues within labor rights in the region, which demands urgent attention.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Ahmed, for shedding light on this critical issue. It seems this situation is not just about unpaid wages, but indicative of larger systemic problems that need addressing.
Dr. Ahmed: Absolutely. Thank you for highlighting these important issues. It’s essential for media platforms like Time.news to keep this conversation going.
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, and we hope to see progress in the days ahead. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.