Owner-worker tension over termination without notice; attacks and vandalism in two factories, 10 injured

Two garment and shoe factories in the Chattogram Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) have become volatile in protest of the termination of 40 workers without any notice. On Sunday (6 April) morning, incidents of attacks and vandalism occurred during worker protests at Excel Sure Shoes and JW Apparels factories. At least 10 people were injured at this time, among whom 7 are hospitalized. The incident originated on Saturday (5 April). The terminated workers alleged that they were dismissed without any reason or advance notice.

They blocked the road at Freeport intersection and protested over the matter. Although the movement temporarily stopped through police mediation, the situation heated up again on Sunday morning. On Sunday morning, while trying to enter the factory, the workers found the gate closed. The angry workers tried to break the gate and enter inside. At one point, pushing and shoving with the police started, which turned into a clash.

At least 10 people including Babul (32), Abdul Hakim (60), Biplob (25), Saimul Islam (23), Kamrul Hasan (40), Shakil (35), and Mamunur Rashid (32) were injured in this. Meanwhile, around noon, tension spread among workers at the JW Apparels factory as well centering on the termination. At one point in the verbal altercation, vandalism occurred at the factory. Several workers were injured there too. Their demand is that this type of unfair and unilateral decision must be stopped and those who have been terminated must be reinstated.

Chattogram Industrial Police Additional Superintendent of Police Jasim Uddin said, "Tension spread in two factories in the wake of worker termination. Police, Industrial Police, and the army went to the scene and brought the situation under control."