Garment workers lift blockade on Dhaka-Aricha highway after 2hr protest over unpaid wages

Workers of Pratik Apparels Limited, who staged a protest for over two hours by blocking the Dhaka-Aricha highway in Savar's Ulail area demanding two months' unpaid salaries and allowances, have lifted their blockade after law enforcers intervened. 

The workers lifted the blockade at around 10:15pm after members of the Bangladesh Army recommended they have a discussion with the owners regarding their grievances. 

When they highlighted the inconvenience the public has been facing on the road, the workers agreed to lift the blockade for the time being. 

The workers were informed by the army that the owners would come to the scene for talks to resolve the issue, and they were asked to clear the road in the mean time. 

After the blockade was lifted, traffic began to normalise on the highway.

The protest began around 8:00pm when workers from the factory, located in Karnapara, took to the highway after repeated delays in payment.

Protesting workers said despite previous assurances, factory officials once again failed to pay their wages by today's post-Iftar deadline, leading them to block the road in frustration.

The blockade caused severe traffic congestion on both sides of the highway.

Meanwhile, law enforcement officers were working to control the situation. 

Senior Assistant Police Superintendent Murad from the Industrial Police-1, who was at the science , told The Business Standard, "We are trying to resolve the issue through discussions with both the workers and the management."

In addition to the Savar Model Police and Highway Police, industrial police and army personnel were present at the scene.

Mahiuddin, one of the workers, told The Business Standard that the owners have been delaying the payment of wages every month. 

"We still haven't received the wages for January, and there are also three months of overtime pay pending, including October. Despite several promises, the owners haven't paid the overdue amounts. They assured us of payment after Iftar today, but they left without paying, so we were forced to block the road."