RMG workers block Tongi for an hour demanding due arrears

Workers of a garment factory in Tongi, Gazipur, staged a protest by blocking the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway for an hour demanding two months' due salary and arrears.

At around 8:45am today (13 November), several thousand workers of a factory called Taratex Fashion Limited blocked both sides of the highway in the Auchpara area of Tongi demanding payment of arrears.

On information, members of the industrial police and army discussed with the workers at the spot and assured them of solving the problem.

The workers withdrew the blockade around 10:30am and took position beside the highway.

As a result, traffic on the highway resumed afterward.

Inspector (Tongi Zone) of Gazipur Industrial Police Kripa Sindhu Bala said the agitating workers left the factory and blocked the highway.

"We spoke  to the workers. We requested them to leave the road and return to the factory," he added.

Deputy Police Commissioner (Traffic) of Gazipur Metropolitan Police Md. Ibrahim Khan said there were long queues of vehicles from Shalikchura to Tongi Bazar Bridge and from Gazipura Bus Stand to Boro Bari.

However, as workers left the spot, traffic has returned to normal, he added.

According to sources, about 2,000 workers are working in the factory. The factory owners have not yet paid the workers' salaries for the months of September and October. A few days ago, workers' representatives and factory officials held a meeting. Although the September salary was supposed to be paid yesterday, the authorities did not pay.

When the factory workers came to work this morning, they appealed to the factory authorities to pay their salaries before joining work. But the authorities did not inform the workers anything about the payment of salaries.

The workers said despite several rounds of negotiations, the factory owner did not pay their salaries. Therefore, they were forced to take to the streets.

They said they will only leave the road if their salaries are paid.

Several attempts were made to contact Abul Hossain Majumdar, the owner of Taratex Fashion Limited, but he did not respond.

Incidentally, workers of a factory named TNZ in Maleker Bari area of Gazipur had blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway for three consecutive days since Saturday demanding arrears and due wages.

Later, when the government promised to pay the arrears of the workers in two instalments, the workers withdrew the blockade Monday night.