 | Protesting Bangladesh workers burn factories
23 May, 2006
DHAKA (Reuters) - Thousands of protesting workers set fire to six garment factories in Bangladesh after one of their colleague was killed and scores injured in clashes with police, witnesses and officials said on Tuesday.
They said more than 100 vehicles were damaged in the violence that first erupted on Monday in and around the capital, Dhaka, after factory owners called in police to break up demonstrations by workers demanding better pay and benefits.
Angry workers on Monday set fire to three factories in an export zone in Savar, about 25 km (15 miles) north of Dhaka. Later, they barricaded a highway and attacked buses and trucks.
The violence spread overnight to other areas when thousands of workers armed with sticks and stones attacked factories in the city's Uttara, Mirpur and Tejgaon areas and its suburbs.
"We are battling fire in at least half a dozen spots right now," a fire fighter said by telephone. Fire engines could be seen racing through Dhaka's crowded streets on Tuesday.
Police said one factory worker had been shot dead on Monday, but they could not give details of the circumstances. At least 25 officers were treated for injuries.
Release link:http://sg.news.yahoo.com/060523/3/411hk.html
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