Police charge batons, use tear gas to disperse protesting RMG workers from Dhaka-Tangail highway
Around 11am, the workers were dispersed from the Chandra intersection
Industrial Police charged batons and used tear gas shells to disperse protesting ready-made garment (RMG) workers demanding unpaid wages from the Dhaka-Tangail highway in Gazipur's Kaliakair today (23 May).
"The workers of closed Mahmud Jeans Limited blocked the busy highway around 10am, demanding their unpaid wages, causing long traffic tailbacks. We intervened to clear the road," Superintendent of Gazipur Industrial Police-2 AKM Zahirul Islam told The Business Standard.
"Around 11am, the workers were dispersed from the Chandra intersection. Additional forces have been in the area to prevent further unrest," he added.
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The traffic returned to normal soon, the officer said.
Abu Taleb, manager (administration) of the factory, said, "The factory was permanently shut down on 10 October last year in accordance with the labour law. Workers' dues will be settled under the supervision of the Ministry of Labour.
"The factory management has no further role in this matter."
According to protesting workers, despite the factory closure, around 2,000 workers are still owed unpaid wages and dues, which remain unsettled despite repeated demands and demonstrations.
