Garment factory workers are protesting by blocking the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in Gazipur demanding three months’ salary arrears.
From Tuesday (October 1) morning, workers of some factories stopped work and blocked the road. Due to this, 9 km traffic jam was created on Dhaka-Mymensingh and Dhaka-Tangail highways from Chandna intersection. As a result, the passengers suffered greatly.
The workers say that the owner of Dillas Fashion Limited in Chowrasta area of Gazipur closed the factory with a notice three months ago. This leaves them three months salary arrears.
Then on Tuesday morning, the workers of this factory went to several nearby factories and urged the workers to stop work and join their movement. At one point, some factories around Chandana Chowrasta area gave leave to the workers to avoid chaos. Later workers of several factories came to Dhaka-Mymensingh highway and blocked the road.
Gazipur Industrial Police SP Sarwar Alam said the police are working to remove the workers from the highway. On receiving the news, the army members came to the spot and are talking to the workers.
Basan Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Jahangir Alam said that workers have been protesting and blocking the road since Monday night over salary-related demands. We are continuing to discuss their demands with the factory authorities along with members of the industrial police and the army. Hope the problem will be solved soon.