The death of a garment industry worker in police firing, in which 200 of his colleagues were injured, shook Bangladesh in early November. The incident took place at the BSCIC Industrial Park in Fatulla, Narayangoang near the capital city of Dhaka. Kamal, who died in the police firing, and other garment workers were demanding wages, which their factories had not paid to them despite their work.

The workers were demanding payment of outstanding wages, festival bonus and other facilities.In the night of 2 November, the management, labour leaders and the local administration met to discuss the workers’ demands. It, however, failed to reach any conclusion.

Police soon arrested a labour leader Mahmubur Rahman Ismail and the angry workers began a spontaneous protest. The police opened fire after clashes broke out between the workers and the police in different places. Kamal, who was was hit by a bullet fired by a policeman, succumbed to the injuries. The police also arrested 20 workers. All the factories and offices in Narayangong remained closed the next day.

On 5 November, a half-day general strike was observed in Narayangong in protest against the death of Kamal. The capital Dhaka city saw many demonstrations. Garment workers’trade unions and national trade unions organised condolence meetings and protest rallies during 5 -12 November.

The unions demanded a compensation Tk.500,000 for the killed worker’s family, treatment of all injured workers, unconditional release of the arrested workers and fulfilling of the demands of the concerned factory workers.