Workers' demo halts production at Natore Pran factory

The authorities of Pran Agro Limited suspended production at a Natore factory yesterday morning following a workers' demonstration demanding increase in their wages.

When a police team rushed to the spot on information, the agitating workers pelted brickbats towards them, leaving a policeman injured.

Hearing the news, local lawmaker Shafiqul Islam went to the spot and assured the workers of meeting their demands within seven days.

Earlier on Wednesday, the factory workers halted production around 2:00pm. They later staged a demonstration and damaged some equipments in the factory the same evening to press home their demand.

Abdul Barek, a worker of the factory, said though the authorities concerned had increased workers' salary by Tk 200 recently, they also reduced the overtime rate from Tk 19 to Tk 16 per hour.

Golam Sarwar, deputy general manager of the factory, said some misunderstanding might have led to the workers' unrest.

Rafiqul Islam, assistant superintendent (circle) of police in Natore, said additional police have been deployed in and around the factory to avert any untoward incident.