RMG workers block roads in Ashulia over unpaid wages; 15 factories closed

Readymade garment workers in Ashulia staged a major protest today (14 August) over unpaid wages, blocking the Baipail-Abdullahpur road for more than three hours and forcing 15 nearby factories to declare a general holiday amid security concerns.

The unrest erupted after workers arrived at the Nassa Group factory expecting operations to resume following a four-day closure from 10 to 13 August over unpaid wages. Instead, they found a new notice announcing another phase of closure, sparking their anger.

The protest began around 7:30am when workers gathered on the road in Narsinghpur, demanding the disbursal of their July salaries. 

One worker, speaking anonymously, said, "We need our wages to survive. When the factory announced another four-day closure without paying salaries, everyone felt compelled to block the road."

Tensions escalated as some workers tried to rally employees from nearby factories to join the demonstration. 

Nassa Group Executive Director Naimul Islam Naiem explained, "LCs are closed, accounts frozen, and despite management's efforts, salaries for July could not be disbursed and are now scheduled for 19 August."

During the protest, a security room outside the main gate of Ananta Garments Limited was set on fire, destroying CCTV equipment, a television, a computer, and documents. 

Inamul Haq Khan, Managing Director of Ananta Garments, told The Business Standard that since there were no issues inside the factory, workers initially refused to leave. 

"A group of  outsiders set fire to a security room in front of the gate, mainly to create panic," he said. "We do not want to escalate the situation through legal action."

Khairul Mamun Mintu, Legal Secretary of the Bangladesh Garment & Sweater Workers Trade Union Centre, told TBS the fire at Ananta Garments may have political motives and noted the matter was discussed at BGMEA's meeting. 

He added that such incidents are often intended to make wage protests more visible, and stressed that stronger worker–management relations could prevent them.

Superintendent of Industrial Police-1, Mohammad Mominul Islam Bhuiyan, said, "In most other factories, operations had been suspended. However, work was ongoing at Ananta Garments; that's what sparked the anger. There were no incidents at the factories that were closed."

By 10:40am, law enforcement and military personnel had restored order, and the workers were removed from the scene.

Officials confirmed that negotiations for the Nassa Group workers' dues are ongoing, with authorities and BGMEA closely monitoring the situation to prevent further disturbances.