RMG workers block Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in Gazipur demanding arrears
Ready-made garment (RMG) workers have blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in the Hurricane area of Gacha in Gazipur demanding payment of arrears.
The blockade created a three-kilometre-long traffic jam on both sides of the highway, causing suffering to commuters.
The workers started the blockade around 9:15pm yesterday (9 February), Fahim Asjad, assistant commissioner (Gacha zone) of Gazipur Metropolitan Police told The Business Standard.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The blockade was still ongoing till the filing of this report at 12am.
"Efforts are on to convince the workers to move away from the road," Fahim said.
Ziaur Kabir Khokon, president of Bangladesh Garment Workers Trade Union Centre's Gazipur branch, said workers of Self Innovation Fashion Limited's garment factory blocked the highway by lying down on the road, demanding payment of two months' due salary and service benefits.
AKM Johirul Islam, superintendent of Gazipur Industrial Police-2, said about 150 workers work in that garment factory.
"A tripartite meeting was held at the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments in Tongi, Gazipur yesterday regarding the issue of payment of service benefits and other dues to the factory workers. As no fruitful decision was taken in the meeting, the workers blocked the highway.
"On receiving the information, the Industrial Police and the Metropolitan Police reached the spot. They are trying to convince the workers to move away from the highway," Jahirul said.
