Gazipur garment workers block Dhaka-Mymensingh highway over layoffs

Garment workers in Gazipur blocked Dhaka-Mymensingh highway for about 1.5 hours to protest the sudden layoff of 76 workers today (23 February). 

The blockade caused significant traffic disruptions, impacting commuters and drivers.

Workers from That's It Clothing Factory, located in Maleker Bari area of Gazipur, were denied entry to the factory this morning. They were informed that they had been laid off without prior notice, allegedly due to their previous participation in labour protests.

The laid-off workers began protesting at the factory gate around 10am, urging their colleagues to join them. By 11:30am, other workers joined the demonstration, blocking both lanes of Dhaka-Mymensingh highway near the factory.

Metropolitan Police, Industrial Police, and army personnel arrived at the scene and negotiated with the workers. After assurances that their demands would be discussed at the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) office on Monday, the workers cleared the highway around 12:30pm.

Gazipur Industrial Police-2 Superintendent of Police AKM Zahirul Islam confirmed the incident, stating that the workers lifted the blockade following the promise of a meeting at the BGMEA to resolve the issue. Traffic flow resumed after approximately an hour and a half.