Rowa Fashion workers block Dhaka–Mymensingh highway demanding July pay, factory reopening
Factory owner Enayet Karim said, “The workers will receive one month’s salary”
Workers of Rowa Fashion Limited blocked the Dhaka–Mymensingh Highway at Bhogra Bypass under Basan Police Station in Gazipur City, today (12 August) morning, demanding the reopening of their workplace and payment of overdue wages.
The demonstration brought traffic to a standstill, causing severe congestion along the busy route.
Employees began their blockade at around 8:45am. In response to the unrest, several neighbouring factories in the Chowdhuribari area declared a day's closure.
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Two teams from the Industrial Police were deployed to the scene to restore order.
Rowa Fashion Limited, located at Bhogra Bypass, employs approximately 1,100 workers. According to employees, the factory management issued a closure notice on 11 August under Section 13(1) of the labour law, citing unrest, instability, and financial losses.
Workers say they are protesting to demand payment of their July wages and the immediate reopening of the factory.
Factory owner Enayet Karim said, "The workers will receive one month's salary. I am arranging the payment by selling a piece of land. Once the sale is completed, I will settle all dues. I just need a few more days."
Additional Superintendent of Gazipur Industrial Police, Wahiduzzaman, confirmed that the highway was completely blocked, saying, "We are working to bring the situation under control."
Superintendent of Gazipur Industrial Police-2 added that discussions between the owner and the workers are ongoing, expressing hope that the matter will be resolved soon, allowing traffic movement to resume.
