Workers confine eight officials following violent clash at Padma Blowing Ltd
Sources indicate that the workforce at Padma Blowing Limited has long been divided. Tensions worsened after one faction recently obtained the workers’ union certificate.
Tensions escalated at Padma Blowing Limited in Barishal after workers confined eight company officials for nearly 18 hours, demanding justice following an attack on union members by outsiders. The workers allege that the company's management and officials were involved in orchestrating the assault.
According to reports, around 9:30pm on Thursday, a group of outsiders attacked Jasim Uddin, the union president, and Noyon, office secretary, along with three others, at the factory gate. The injured were rushed to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital for treatment, with two sustaining serious injuries.
Bellal Hossain, vice-president of the workers' union, said, "We have obtained official registration for the Padma Blowing Limited Workers' Union. The company owners are unwilling to accept it. They employed outsiders to attack us. The protest will continue until the attackers are brought to justice."
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Another protester, Sohag, added, "We have detained seven to eight officials. They were dining with the attackers and had connections with them. They will not be released until the attackers are punished."
Among the detained officials, Iqbal Hossain said, "Our shift began last night. We heard there was an altercation at the gate, and since then, we have been confined. We are feeling unwell."
Another official, Arifur Rahman, added, "We are not involved in the incident. We were here for our routine duties, yet we have been held against our will."
Sources indicate that the workforce at Padma Blowing Limited has long been divided. Tensions worsened after one faction recently obtained the workers' union certificate. On Thursday night, clashes between the rival factions escalated into a violent confrontation inside the factory, prompting one group of workers to detain officials in protest.
Mizanur Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kotwali Model Police Station, confirmed, "There was a clash between two factions of workers on Thursday night. A written complaint is expected from one party, and appropriate action will be taken once it is received."
Padma Blowing Limited, based in Barishal, is a pharmaceutical manufacturing company under Opsonin Pharma.
