Dhaka, Aug 12 (NationPress) In a significant protest, hundreds of ready-made garment (RMG) workers blocked the Dhaka–Mymensingh Highway in the Gazipur district on Tuesday morning. Their demands included the reopening of closed factories and the immediate payment of their outstanding wages.

Approximately 200 employees from Rowa Fashions Limited staged the demonstration near the flyover close to Bhogra Bypass in Bason Police Station, resulting in severe traffic disruptions and effectively halting movement along the highway, as reported by local media.

Wahiduzzaman Raju, Additional Superintendent of Gazipur Industrial Police, confirmed the blockade and noted that efforts were underway to restore order.

“We are attempting to manage the situation… further updates will be provided later,” he stated in an interview with Bangladesh’s prominent newspaper, The Daily Star.

The protest also resulted in the temporary closure of additional factories in the Chowdhurybari area of Dhaka, according to police sources.

The workers voiced their grievances regarding the non-payment of their July wages and expressed their opposition to the planned relocation of their factories.

The factory owner issued a notice on Monday, citing Section 13(1) of the labor law to justify the shutdown due to unrest and financial difficulties.

“I am selling land to settle the dues. Once the sale is finalized, I will clear the payments. I require a few days,” stated Enayet Karim, the factory owner.

In another development, on Monday evening, several hundred workers from two garment factories held officials hostage inside Srom Bhaban in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area, demanding their unpaid salaries.

“Despite repeated assurances, factory owners have not fulfilled their payment obligations. The government has also not taken effective measures. Our protests will persist unless substantial steps are taken,” declared Shafiul Alam, president of the Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers Federation (Gazipur Metropolitan unit).

On the previous Sunday, workers from a private firm in Dhaka also protested for unpaid wages, leading to traffic jams and blocking the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in the Gazipur region.

This private firm is a joint venture between a UAE entity and a Bangladeshi partner.

The protests, which began on Sunday morning, created significant traffic congestion, leaving many passengers and drivers stranded for hours.

Across the country, demonstrations and strikes over unpaid dues and worsening working conditions have intensified since the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus took power in August 2024.

Numerous reports indicate that ongoing protests have led to the closure of several factories, and regrettably, some workers have lost their lives or sustained serious injuries during these demonstrations.