Police Disperse Garment Workers Protesting in Mirpur

Garment workers’ protests over demands for higher minimum wages entered a third day in Mirpur, Dhaka, on Monday, November 2, as police dispersed workers attempting to take to the streets.

Workers from several garment factories gathered in the Mirpur-14 area in the morning and tried to march towards the Mirpur-10 roundabout. Police chased them, forcing them to disperse and return to their respective factories.

Rozina Khatun, duty officer at Mirpur Model Police Station, confirmed the incident, saying police had been deployed in the area since morning to prevent workers from taking to the streets.

According to police and local sources, labour unrest began at several garment factories in Mirpur on Saturday, October 31, initially through work stoppages and protests inside factory premises.

The situation escalated on Sunday as workers staged demonstrations and blocked roads in different parts of Mirpur, triggering tensions. Some protesters allegedly vandalised vehicles, set fire to property and attempted to attack police, leading to clashes. Police later brought the situation under control and detained several people.

Police said workers from several factories in Mirpur-14 again attempted to march towards Mirpur-10 on Monday morning. Officers deployed in the area blocked their advance and chased them when they tried to defy restrictions.

Another group of workers also attempted to gather in the Mirpur-10 area, but police intervention prevented the gathering. The workers eventually dispersed and returned to their factories.

Rozina Khatun said the situation was under police control.

Meanwhile, tensions persisted across Mirpur following two days of protests and clashes, the closure of a metro rail station, and an attack on a Fire Service vehicle.

Additional police personnel were deployed in the Mirpur-10, Mirpur-11, Mirpur-12 and Mirpur-14 areas to prevent further unrest.