Union leader Taslima Akhter said some demands made by the workers were “just” but also said elements were seeking to stir up trouble to “utilise the opportunity of discontent”.
Protesters made a range of demands including better overtime pay, as well as for more men to be hired in a female-dominated industry.
Mohammad Hatem, president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said some demands were “illogical”.
Those included demands to quadruple overtime payments and for an equal ratio of men to women in factories, he said.
“If they come with just demands, we can discuss this on the table but they are taking to the streets instead,” said Hatem, blaming “interest groups” wanting to damage the industry, without giving further details.
Workers from other industries, including pharmaceutical, ceramics and leather factories, also held protests, police said.
“Protesters blocked the roads in two places in Gazipur area and hurled bricks,” said Emran Ahmmed, a police officer in the Gazipur Industrial zone.
Bangladesh is the world’s second-biggest exporter of clothing by value after China and supplies many of the world’s top brands, including Levi’s, Zara and H&M.
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