RMG workers block Dhaka-Tangail highway in Kaliakair over unpaid wages
"The factory was supposed to pay the workers their dues this morning. As a result, both current workers and former employees who had left for other factories gathered at the premises. But at 8:30am, the management announced they could not pay due to lack of funds, leading the workers to block the highway,” said Md Azad Rahman, an inspector of Gazipur Industrial Police-2
Workers of a garment factory named Mahmud Jeans Limited in the Haritakitla area of Chandra in Kaliakair upazila, Gazipur, protested and blocked the Dhaka-Tangail highway demanding their due wages.
The blockade began at 9am today (28 November) causing traffic congestion stretching several kilometres on both sides.
As traffic on this vital highway connecting Dhaka to the country's northern region came to a halt, passengers and drivers faced significant difficulties.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The blockage also resulted in severe gridlock on nearby roads.
According to the Industrial Police, law enforcement officials are negotiating with the factory owners and agitated workers to restore normal traffic flow on the highway.
Royes Uddin, officer-in-charge (OC) of Naojor Highway Police Station, said, "Traffic on the Dhaka-Tangail highway has been disrupted due to the roadblock by workers of a garment factory in Chandra, Kaliakair. Efforts are underway to negotiate with the workers and remove them from the highway. Once the workers leave, traffic will resume."
Police and workers reported that the protest erupted over unpaid dues, including one month's outstanding wages for workers, service benefits, and delayed salaries of six to nine months for some factory officials.
Md Azad Rahman, an inspector of Gazipur Industrial Police-2, said, "The factory was supposed to pay the workers their dues this morning. As a result, both current workers and former employees who had left for other factories gathered at the premises. But at 8:30am, the management announced they could not pay due to lack of funds, leading the workers to block the highway."
The workers further said in August, they had to stage a prolonged demonstration for unpaid wages, which had accumulated to five months at that time. Although the owners settled some payments then, dues for some workers remained.
The factory authorities could not be reached for comment yet.
