"Labour leader killed returning from speaking for protesting workers in Gazipur", 26 June 2023

A labour leader was killed while two others were injured in an attack by miscreants in Satai area of Gazipur city Sunday night.

The deceased is Shahidul Islam Shahid, 50. The injured labour leaders are Mustafa Kamal, 26, and Ahmed Sharif, 35.

Shafiqul Islam, president of Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation, Gazipur city, said that the workers have been demanding the payment of the outstanding salary and Eid bonus for the last two months at the Prince Jacquard Sweater Limited garment factory in Tongi's Satish area of Gazipur city.

On June 21, the workers protested to demand payment of their outstanding dues. On Sunday, the factory authorities issued a notice to the workers with a date for payment of their dues in view of their demands. 

According to the notice, the workers stood at the factory gate from that morning to collect their dues. However, even though it was evening, the factory authorities did not take the initiative to pay the workers who had been waiting all day.

Later, the workers resumed their protest around 6:30pm. They wanted the cooperation of labour leader Shahidul and two other leaders to speak on behalf of the aggrieved workers. 

On request of the workers, the leaders went to the factory and discussed with the protesting workers. When they came out, the miscreants attacked the three labour leaders in front of the factory. Shahidul and two others were seriously injured in the attack...

Nandalal Chowdhury, inspector (investigation) of Gacha police station of Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP), said: “On receiving the information, we reached the hospital and found the body of one and two injured. Legal action in this regard is under process.”