Beximco workers block Chandra-Nabinagar highway again over unpaid wages
Over 40,000 workers from 10 factories within the industrial park are affected, with many still unpaid. Workers insist they will only leave the streets once paid in full
Workers of Beximco Industrial Park in Gazipur once again blocked the Chandra-Nabinagar highway this (25 November) morning, resuming their demonstration as several workers were yet to receive their October wages.
The demonstration, which ended after 8pm, disrupted traffic on the crucial route and led to the suspension of operations at nearby factories, according to police.
Kashimpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Saiful Islam told The Business Standard, "Vehicular movement on the highway resumed around 8:30pm after the protesters removed their blockade."
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"The protests calmed down around 6pm, after some of the workers received messages of salary disbursement on their phones," he added.
However, OC Saiful could not confirm if all the workers received their salaries.
Earlier in the day, Abu Taleb, assistant superintendent of police of Gazipur Industrial Police-2, said, "Half of the workers have been paid, but many still await their overdue wages. That's why they have blocked the Chandra-Nabinagar highway again."
Police said workers insisted they will only leave the streets once paid in full. Efforts are being made to mediate between the protesting workers and the factory management to resolve the ongoing issue and restore normalcy in the area, they added.
The roadblock disrupted vehicular movement in the area significantly, forcing travellers to rely on alternative routes, including Dhaka-Tangail highway and regional roads through Dhamrai, to maintain connectivity with the capital.
The workers began protesting on 14 November, demanding their overdue salaries for October. On the seventh day of the protest last Thursday, the workers lifted the blockade at night after being assured that payments would be made by Sunday.
Many workers also received text messages on Thursday evening confirming their payments, temporarily easing the tension. However, several workers reported not receiving their promised payments by Sunday evening, prompting the protests to resume on the day.
Over 40,000 workers from 10 factories within the industrial park are affected, with many still reportedly unpaid.
