Police beef up patrol in apparel hubs to prevent violence over Eid bonus
Monday, 7 September 2009
Jubair Hasan
Police have stepped up vigilance at the country's main industrial belts and watch on union leaders to tackle possible unrest after garment workers began demonstration to realise wages and bonuses ahead of Eid.
The move comes after the apparel workers Sunday threatened a series of protests including a total shutdown demanding wages, arrears and Eid bonus by September 16.
"We have taken their deadline seriously," Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) AKM Shahidul Haq said while talking to the FE.
Haq said protest threats by the unions could undermine law and order situation in the main garment hubs at Savar and Ashulia where thousands of apparel plants are located.
"We've already increased vigilance at the industrial belts to prevent violence and unwanted incident," the city police chief said. "Savar and Ashulia police stations were ordered to stay alert and step up patrol."
"Our intelligence will be on the watch in potentially vulnerable areas so that none can provoke unrest in the country's most important industrial sector," he said.
Police feared that the garment owners' recent announcement that they won't be able to pay bonuses to the workers could stoke up labour resentment, which may lead to a full-scale unrest before the Eid.
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) last week sought Tk30 billion from the government's stimulus package to clear wages and bonuses to its three million workforce.
Police have stepped up vigilance at the country's main industrial belts and watch on union leaders to tackle possible unrest after garment workers began demonstration to realise wages and bonuses ahead of Eid.
The move comes after the apparel workers Sunday threatened a series of protests including a total shutdown demanding wages, arrears and Eid bonus by September 16.
"We have taken their deadline seriously," Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) AKM Shahidul Haq said while talking to the FE.
Haq said protest threats by the unions could undermine law and order situation in the main garment hubs at Savar and Ashulia where thousands of apparel plants are located.
"We've already increased vigilance at the industrial belts to prevent violence and unwanted incident," the city police chief said. "Savar and Ashulia police stations were ordered to stay alert and step up patrol."
"Our intelligence will be on the watch in potentially vulnerable areas so that none can provoke unrest in the country's most important industrial sector," he said.
Police feared that the garment owners' recent announcement that they won't be able to pay bonuses to the workers could stoke up labour resentment, which may lead to a full-scale unrest before the Eid.
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) last week sought Tk30 billion from the government's stimulus package to clear wages and bonuses to its three million workforce.