At least 30 RMG factories closed in Ashulia as workers protest demanding jobs
Severe traffic congestion on the Nabinagar-Chandra and Baipail-Abdullahpur roads as protesting workers placed barricades on highway
Workers seeking jobs are protesting in Ashulia by blocking the Nabinagar-Chandra and Baipail-Abdullahpur roads, demanding equal employment opportunities for men and women in RMG factories, among other demands.
The workers gathered in front of various factories along the Dhaka EPZ and Baipail-Abdullahpur roads to begin their demonstration for employment this morning (2 September).
At one point, the protesting workers placed barricades at various points on the Nabinagar-Chandra and Baipail-Abdullahpur roads. They started throwing bricks and stones at the factories, causing severe traffic congestion.
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At least 30 factories in the area were forced to declare a holiday amid the protests, according to the industrial police.
While the industrial police and army members managed to clear the Baipail-Abdullahpur road of barricades, the blockade in front of DEPZ on the Nabinagar-Chandra road remained as of filing this report.
"Today's workers are protesting for employment. They also demand equal employment rates for men and women in garment factories, among other demands," Md Sarwar Alam, the superintendent of industrial police-1, told TBS over phone.
"With the help of army members, we managed to free the Baipail-Abdullahpur road from the blockade, but barricades in front of the DEPZ are still there. Due to the situation, among the factories on either side of the road, at least 30 factories, including Hamim Group and Sharmin Group, have announced a holiday," he added.
Sarwar said law enforcers are continuing efforts to resolve the issue.
