Narayanganj garment workers block Dhaka–Sylhet highway over unpaid wages, clash with police
Agitated workers hurled brickbats at law enforcers, prompting police to fire several rounds of bullets and tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.
Workers of B-Brothers Group staged a blockade on the Dhaka–Sylhet highway in Rupganj, Narayanganj, this morning (28 February), demanding payment of three months' overdue wages and allowances.
The protest began around 8:30am when workers refused to enter the factory and started demonstrating outside the premises.
As tensions mounted, the agitation intensified and they moved onto the busy highway, halting vehicular movement and causing long tailbacks on both sides of the road.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Around 1pm, the situation turned violent when police attempted to clear the highway and charged with batons. Agitated workers hurled brickbats at law enforcers in response, prompting police to fire several rounds of bullets and tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.
Seven police personnel were injured after being hit by bricks.
Enraged workers also vandalised window glass of the factory building and damaged several vehicles on the road. Later, army personnel joined to help bring the situation under control.
The traffic jam reportedly stretched nearly 12 kilometres, causing severe disruption to passengers and pedestrians.
According to the protesting workers, around 3,000 employees work at the garment factory located in the Maikuli area. They have been demanding unpaid wages and allowances for December, January and February.
The workers alleged that the management repeatedly assured them that payments would be made but failed to clear the dues. They also claimed that employees who protested over unpaid salaries were subjected to mistreatment and layoffs.
Upon receiving information, police from Rupganj Police Station and members of the Industrial Police rushed to the scene.
Officer-in-Charge Sabzel Ahmed said authorities were trying to bring the situation under control through talks with both the protesters and the factory management.
Around 2pm, Narayanganj-1 MP Mustafizur Rahman Bhuiyan Dipu arrived at the scene and held talks with the factory owners. After he assured that the overdue wages would be cleared within one week, the workers withdrew from the highway.
Traffic movement gradually returned to normal from around 3pm.
