Garment workers block Dhaka-Aricha Highway demanding salary

Workers from a garment factory blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway in Savar demanding unpaid wages for the month of April and May.

The protest began around 9:00am today (2 June) in the Hemayetpur area, where workers from Bashundhara Garments Limited obstructed the highway. The blockade caused severe traffic congestion, bringing vehicular movement to a halt for nearly an hour and a half.

Police dispersed the crowd using tear gas, water cannons, and charged baton and the traffic returned to normal soon after.

According to the protesting workers, the factory was supposed to pay their dues on 1 June but failed to do so. Angered by repeated delay, they took to the highway to press for their wages.

Earlier, on 17 May, the factory management issued a notice declaring the factory "laid-off" from 18 May to 31 May. The same notice promised payment of April's wages by 25 May. However, when workers showed up on 25 May to collect their pay, they were turned away. This led to another protest that day on the nearby Hemayetpur-Singair regional road.

At that time, authorities—including police and army personnel—convinced the factory management to promise payment by 29 May. But that deadline also passed without resolution. Then the authorities promised to pay the arrears on 1 June, but again failed to keep their words.

One worker, speaking anonymously, said, "We are owed wages for both April and May. Despite repeated promises, the management hasn't paid us. Today we blocked the road and the police dispersed us using tear gas, water cannons, and batons. Many of us were injured."

Another worker added, "With Eid approaching, we don't know how we'll go home or celebrate. The army has intervened multiple times, yet we still haven't been paid."

Kobir Hossain, general secretary of the Savar unit of the National Garments Workers Federation, said, "If workers don't receive their salaries and bonuses before Eid, how will they survive or celebrate? We urge the factory management to settle the dues immediately."

Attempts to reach the factory's Managing Director Mohammad Shahidullah for comment were unsuccessful as his phone was found switched off.

Savar Industrial Police-1 Superintendent Mohammad Mominul Islam Bhuiyan confirmed the protest and said, "We tried to peacefully remove the workers from the road, but eventually had to use tear gas and water cannons. Efforts are ongoing to resolve the issue."