Protests by garment workers in Bangladesh force 30 factories to close

September 2 (EUROPA PRESS) –

Around thirty factories in Bangladesh’s textile industry were forced to temporarily close their facilities on Tuesday as protests by workers continued, demanding “equality” between men and women workers.

Security forces in the Asian country have indicated that both workers and job seekers have blocked the roads between Nabinagar and Chandra, as well as the one from Baipail to Abduyllahpur, in Ashulia, to demand these “proportional” hirings.

They have gathered in front of several factories and demanded a change in employment quotas, among other issues. There they have set up barricades and started throwing stones at the facades of some of these buildings, according to information collected by the newspaper ‘The Daily Star’.

The situation has caused heavy traffic jams on some roads, raising tensions as the country grapples with a crisis sparked by a wave of protests this summer that eventually led to the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the entire government in early August.

On Monday, members of the country’s Army and Industrial Police managed to reach the scene to persuade the workers to remove the barricades and allow a smoother flow of traffic.

Police Inspector Sarwar Alam said that 30 to 35 factories have already been closed and that security forces have managed to clear some roads with the help of the Bangladesh Armed Forces.