RMG workers call strike for Saturday

The workers of Tuba Group will stage demonstrations on Friday protesting ‘police attacks’ on them and demanding payment of their dues. Amid the confusion of salary disbursement, the garment workers on Thursday backtracked from their indefinite countrywide strike but announced demonstrations for Friday while a countrywide strike on Saturday. Tuba Group Sramik Sangram Committee made the revised programme following changed scenario. On Thursday, Moshrefa Mishu, president of Garment Workers Unity Forum, had announced the countrywide indefinite strike on behalf of the workers when she was arrested by police in front of Tuba Group factory at the city’s North Badda. Police also arrested Bangladesh Trade Union Center’s joint secretary Jolly Talukder shortly after her removal from Tuba Group factory at Hossain Market, where five of the Tuba Group’s garment factories are situated. However, Mishu was released later. Police also stormed into a Tuba factory at Badda firing rubber bullets and teargas canisters to disperse the workers. Policemen charged batons on the hunger-striking Tuba workers. The agitating workers vandalised at least 20 vehicles on the road in front of the factory, according to a news agency.