Workers block road in Barishal over unpaid wages, 8-point demand
The protesting workers alleged that they had not received salaries for the past two months despite working regularly.
Hundreds of workers of Fortune Shoes Ltd blocked Natun Bazar road in Barishal today (30 July) to press home their eight-point demands including payment of two months' overdue wages.
The workers of the factory gathered at Notun Bazar around 1pm and blocked the road, causing severe traffic congestion, reports UNB.
The demonstration continued on one side of the road until at least 5:30pm.
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The protesting workers alleged that they had not received salaries for the past two months despite working regularly.
They also claimed that although they had been required to work overtime, they had not been paid any overtime wages.
Under the labour law, workers are entitled to receive double their regular wage for overtime work, but they had not received any such payments, said the protesters.
The workers further claimed that when they raised the issue of unpaid wages and other dues with the company authorities, they were subjected to harassment and various forms of pressure.
They also alleged that employees attempting to join organisations to protect workers' rights were forced to leave their jobs.
The protesters also vowed to continue their movement until their eight-point demands, including payment of all outstanding wages and allowances, are met.
Shahidul Hawlader, office secretary of the Barishal District Sramik Front, said the workers' legitimate demands had long been ignored.
He urged the authorities to resolve the crisis immediately by paying the outstanding salaries, overtime wages and meeting the other demands, warning that the movement could intensify if no action is taken.
Severe traffic congestion has been created in the Notun Bazar area and its surrounding roads following the protest, causing immense suffering to the commuters.
Police later persuaded the protesters to move to one side of the road, allowing vehicles to pass, although traffic remained slow.
Al Mamun Ul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Barishal Kotwali Model Police Station, said police had requested the protesters to stay on one side of the road to minimise public suffering.
"Police are monitoring the situation and trying to keep traffic moving as normally as possible," he said.
No immediate statement was available from the authorities of Fortune Shoes Ltd regarding the workers' allegations.
