Labour Minister orders speedy trial in worker killing case

Labour Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury has said those responsible for the killing of a worker will be identified and brought to justice swiftly.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday evening after a meeting with representatives of garment workers and factory owners at the Secretariat, he said, “We have issued instructions to identify those involved in killing our fellow worker and bring them to justice swiftly."

He also said the family of victims had been given Tk1 lakh.

Labour Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury, MP Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas and Prime Minister's Adviser Mahdi Amin attended the meeting.

Police and family members said on Monday 21-year-old garment worker Toufiq Hossain was recording footage of a clash between protesters and police in the Bahadurpur area under Joydebpur police station in Gazipur when he suddenly came under attack.

He sustained serious head injuries and was later admitted to hospital, where he died while undergoing treatment.

Syeda Yasmin Sultana, upazila nirbahi officer of Gobindaganj, confirmed to Waadaa on Wednesday that Toufiq had been buried in his hometown following his death.

Toufiq’s death comes amid continuing garment workers’ protests demanding higher wages across several industrial areas.