Most RMG factories open, some workers continue protests by blocking roads

Most garment factories in Ashulia's industrial area opened today, but workers of some factories continued their protests over unpaid wages by blocking major highways.

In Ashulia, 19 factories were closed. Of them, six were closed under the "no work, no pay" policy, while 13 others either declared paid leave or stopped work after opening. 

Workers of Birds Group, who have been protesting by blocking the Nabinagar-Chandra road in Baipail, Ashulia since Monday morning, continued their protest today.

The workers told police that they will not lift the blockade from the road if their dues are not paid, said Md Kamal Hossain, inspector of Ashulia Police Station.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Savar Highway Police Station Ayyub Ali told TBS that the blockade caused long traffic jams on both sides of Nabinagar-Chandra road and Dhaka-Aricha highway between Nabinagar and Bishmail area.

Meanwhile, joint forces have arrested 36 individuals on charges including attacking law enforcement, vandalising vehicles, obstructing official duties, and looting factories in Ashulia on Monday. Police said among those arrested are workers. 

Besides, the industrial police have filed a case against 1,100 to 1,200 unidentified individuals in connection with Monday's violence. 

The ongoing garment worker unrest escalated into violence on Monday in Ashulia, resulting in a worker shot dead during a clash involving protesting factory workers, outsiders, and law enforcement agencies, according to industrial sources.

According to sources, a total of 407 factories were operational today in Savar, Ashulia, and Zirani areas, while 31 remain closed. In Gazipur, 876 factories are operational, with 13 closed.

Besides, 209 factories were opened in Narayanganj, 302 in the DMP area, and 350 in Chattogram, with no closures reported in these three regions.

Gazipur roadblock

In Gazipur, workers from two factories staged protests in the morning over various demands. They blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh and Dhaka-Tangail highways, causing 5-6 kilometres of traffic congestion on both sides, leading to severe disruption for commuters.

According to police sources, employees of APL Apparel had previously protested in early September for unpaid wages. The factory owners had promised to pay by 30 September, but failed to do so, prompting the workers to block the highways Monday night. 

Despite returning home after no response, the workers resumed the protest Tuesday morning at Bhogra, causing further disruptions.

Hamidul Islam, a worker at the factory, said, "The factory has been closed for months, but we haven't been paid for the work done before the closure. Despite promises to pay on Monday, we received nothing."

Meanwhile, workers at MM Knitwear in Konabari have been striking since Monday, demanding increases in their tiffin, night shift, and attendance bonuses. They halted work again today , protesting inside the factory.

Besides, the workers of TNZ Group's Apparel Plus blocked the road in Gazipur's Board Bazar area. The factory was closed six months ago, but the management still has not paid the workers' benefits.