Gazipur workers demand dues blocking highway

The Dhaka-Mymensingh highway came to standstill in Gazipur’s Bhogra area on Monday morning, March 17. 

Garment factory workers from Meem Design Factory, fed up with unpaid wages, spilled onto the asphalt at 8:00am, halting traffic and hurling stones in a desperate cry for February’s arrears. 

For two tense hours, their protest rippled—until army and police stepped in, scattering the crowd and restoring calm.  

It began with a swell of frustration. Workers, locals, and police agree: Meem Garments’ staff kicked off the demonstration over last month’s missing pay. Soon, they blockaded the highway, urging nearby factory hands to join. 

“They stoned buildings, tried to smash windows,” a witness said. The unrest threatened to engulf the industrial hub until authorities charged in, dispersing the throng with batons and boots.  

Behind the chaos, a raw plea: survival. “We haven’t seen February’s wages,” one worker fumed. “Rent’s overdue, kids’ school fees unpaid—we’ve borrowed from shops just to eat. The owners promise, but nothing comes. How do we live?” 

Another added, “We toil hard, yet salaries lag. The street was our last resort.”  

Assistant Superintendent of Police Wahiduzzaman Raju of Gazipur Industrial Police-2 pegged the highway closure at 20 minutes. “We got word, rushed in with the army, and tamed it,” he said. 

Gazipur Police Superintendent AKM Zahirul Islam noted the ripple effect: “Meem’s workers rallied others—about 10 factories emptied out. An agreement ended the blockade; it’s calm now.” Post-clash, 10-12 factories declared a holiday, a breather amid the storm.