Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) expresses grave concern at the killing of three workers and injury of nine others as the members of the Ansaar opened fire at the workers agitating in demand of enhancement of wages in Akiz Bidi Factory in Daulatpur Upazila of Kushtia District.

It has been published in the newspapers that the workers of the said factory have been demanding to increase their wages for a long time for manufacturing bidi (a local variety of cigarette). The workers have been agitating for the last two months with this demand. The managing committee of the factory, though initially assured the workers of meeting their demand, finally decided that the wages will not be increased. Moreover, it was declared that if the arbitrary decision of the owners is not obeyed all the workers will be subjected to forced leave from the next day- which amplified the tension in the factory. It resulted in a clash between the workers and the security officials of the factory. At one stage, two workers were killed on 15 July 2012 and another died in the hospital after being shot by the Ansaar members. Many workers have been injured in the incident.

We know that the workers are subjected to various kinds of torture and harassment including deprivation of their lawful wages. The government including the factory owners, authorities should be concerned on the matter. We believe that use of force by the law enforcement agencies is not an effective measure to stop the movement. We urge all the parties concerned to show more tolerance and also urge the government to take effective measures in order to mitigate the tension by way of discussion.