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3 people die during Bangladesh protests
Source: Agencies |
December 13, 2010, Monday
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GARMENT workers demanding the implementation of a new minimum wage clashed with police at an industrial zone in southeastern Bangladesh yesterday, leaving up to three people dead and 100 hurt, police and news reports said.
Police official Reza Al Hasan said authorities opened fire and used tear gas after thousands of workers attacked factories and smashed vehicles at the Chittagong Export Processing Zone. The zone houses about 70 foreign companies that mainly manufacture garments, shoes and bicycles, and employ about 150,000 workers.
Hasan said one worker died but would not say how. The United News of Bangladesh news agency said three people were fatally shot, but police would not confirm the figure.
Chittagong, 215 kilometers southeast of the capital Dhaka, has the country's main port and many businesses have their offices there.
Kusum Dewan, another senior police official, said security officials first used batons in an attempt to disperse the stone-throwing workers, but failed to control them. He said 25 police were among the injured.
Police said the workers were demanding the implementation of a new wage structure announced by the government in July.
In the first increase since 2006, the government raised the official minimum wage to 3,000 takas (US$45) a month from 1,662 takas. The new pay structure took effect in November, but workers say many factories haven't implemented it yet.
Protests have also taken place around the capital demanding the new wage structure. Yesterday, workers in Dhaka blocked a busy road and set two vehicles on fire, police said.
Labor Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain asked workers to halt the violence and hold talks instead.
Police official Reza Al Hasan said authorities opened fire and used tear gas after thousands of workers attacked factories and smashed vehicles at the Chittagong Export Processing Zone. The zone houses about 70 foreign companies that mainly manufacture garments, shoes and bicycles, and employ about 150,000 workers.
Hasan said one worker died but would not say how. The United News of Bangladesh news agency said three people were fatally shot, but police would not confirm the figure.
Chittagong, 215 kilometers southeast of the capital Dhaka, has the country's main port and many businesses have their offices there.
Kusum Dewan, another senior police official, said security officials first used batons in an attempt to disperse the stone-throwing workers, but failed to control them. He said 25 police were among the injured.
Police said the workers were demanding the implementation of a new wage structure announced by the government in July.
In the first increase since 2006, the government raised the official minimum wage to 3,000 takas (US$45) a month from 1,662 takas. The new pay structure took effect in November, but workers say many factories haven't implemented it yet.
Protests have also taken place around the capital demanding the new wage structure. Yesterday, workers in Dhaka blocked a busy road and set two vehicles on fire, police said.
Labor Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain asked workers to halt the violence and hold talks instead.
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