Workers block highway in Gazipur over unpaid wages, bonuses

A group of garment workers protested in the Hossain Market area of Tongi, Gazipur, blocking the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway to demand their wages and Eid bonuses.

The protest began at 7:00 am on Sunday, March 23. Later, police and army personnel arrived and persuaded the workers to move from the highway to in front of the factory. As a result, traffic on the highway returned to normal by around 8:30 am.

According to industrial police and workers of the factory, employees at BHIS Apparels Limited had not received their February wages, which caused their frustration. The factory management had repeatedly promised payment but failed to fulfill these promises. On March 11, the factory authorities unexpectedly announced the closure of the facility. This, combined with the failure to pay wages, led the workers to block the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in protest. Police were deployed to control the situation.

Since their demands were not met, the workers resumed their protest by blocking the highway on Sunday morning. The blockade caused severe traffic congestion, leading to significant inconvenience for travelers. Upon receiving the news, industrial and local police arrived and managed to persuade the workers to move.

Gazipur Industrial Police Inspector Md Ismail Hossain stated that this was not the first protest by the workers. On March 20, they were assured that their wages would be paid. Out of 1,500 workers, 1,250 received their wages. However, the workers refused to return to work, prompting the factory management to implement a "No Work, No Pay" policy and close the factory.

Inspector Hossain added that the workers resumed their protest at 7:00 am on Sunday, demanding their wages and Eid bonuses. Later, police and army personnel persuaded the workers to move to in front of the factory, and by 8:30 am, traffic returned to normal. Discussions are ongoing with the factory owners to resolve the workers' demands.