Factory workers block Dhaka-Sylhet highway over unpaid wages
On receiving the news, police and local dignitaries spoke with the factory owners, who assured that the arrears would be paid quickly, according to police
Workers of Premier Steel and Rolling Mills (PSRM) staged a protest blocking the Dhaka-Sylhet highway Narayanganj's Rupganj this afternoon (29 October), demanding four months of unpaid wages.
From 1pm to 3pm, the workers blocked the highway in the Borpa area of the upazila, creating long traffic congestion on both sides of the highway and causing suffering for commuters.
On receiving the news, police and local dignitaries spoke with the factory owners, who assured that the arrears would be paid quickly, according to police.
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Following this assurance, the workers withdrew from the road at around 3pm, and traffic on the highway returned to normal, said Tariqul Islam, officer‑in‑charge (OC) of Rupganj Police Station.
Workers of the factory said that for the past four months, the factory authorities have been delaying their salaries. Although several rounds of discussions were held between the owners and the workers, the owners have been making excuses to avoid paying the arrears, they said.
At present, 200 workers are employed at Premier Steel and Rolling Mills.
Mintu Mia, an official of the factory's administration department, said, "An attempt was made to pay one month's wages from the arrears demanded by the workers, but they did not accept it."
"Discussions are underway to meet their demands," he added.
