Workers of a garment factory in the Zirani area of Gazipur city are protesting, demanding an annual salary increase.
On Sunday morning (5 January) workers of Irish Fashion Limited initiated the demonstration.
Subsequently, the protesting workers went to the gates of surrounding factories, urging workers from those establishments to join them.
This led to the closure of several nearby factories.
According to both factory workers and the Industrial Police, the government-mandated 9% annual salary increase does not apply to employees who have not completed a year of service.
However, the workers of Irish Fashion Limited claim that if others receive a salary hike, they too should benefit.
Consequently, they began their protest on Sunday morning.
They later expanded their demonstration to the front of 15-16 nearby factories, compelling these establishments to announce closures.
One worker said, "Workers who were hired earlier are just like us; we, the new employees who have been here for 7-8 months, are also workers. If others get a raise, so should we."
Garment workers stated that even the new employees, who have not yet completed a year, should receive a pay rise. He warned that they would continue their protest if their demands were not met.
Assistant Superintendent Abu Taleb (Gazipur Industrial Area), said that workers of Irish Fashion Limited began their protest on Sunday morning demanding an annual pay increase.
Due to their demonstration, several nearby factories have been closed. Additional police forces have been deployed in the factory area to maintain order.
