Workers from two readymade garment (RMG) factories in Gazipur’s Tongi and Kaliakair staged protests on Saturday over unpaid wages, Eid bonuses, and overtime allowances, disrupting vehicular movement on key highways.
The demonstrations blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway and a regional highway for an hour and a half, causing severe gridlock and inconveniencing commuters. Law enforcement officials later intervened, restoring normalcy to the affected areas.
Factory Shutdown Sparks Protest in Tongi
According to police reports, workers from BSIS Apparels Limited in the Hossain Market area of Tongi began their protest around 7:00 am, blocking the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway. The workers were demonstrating against the abrupt shutdown of their factory following days of unrest over unpaid dues.
Authorities had earlier assured the workers that their February wages, Eid bonuses, and overtime payments would be made by March 23. However, when workers arrived at the factory on the morning of March 11, they found a closure notice at the main gate, triggering a wave of protests. The situation temporarily calmed after police and army officials assured workers of payment on March 23.
On Saturday morning, when no payments were made, the workers resumed their demonstration. Army personnel arrived at the scene around 8:45 am, convincing the protesters to vacate the highway with further assurances regarding their pending dues. The workers later gathered in front of their factory premises, awaiting resolution.
Rehana, a protesting worker, expressed her frustration: "We haven't received our February salaries. Today was supposed to be the payment date for our Eid bonuses and overtime, but instead, we found the factory closed. That's why we took to the streets. We only left after the army and police assured us of payment."
Efforts to reach Iqbal Hossain, the factory owner, for comments were unsuccessful.
Protests Escalate in Kaliakair
Meanwhile, workers at Daeyu Bangladesh Limited in Kaliakair have been protesting since Friday, demanding leave allowances, Eid bonuses, and meal allowances. Tensions escalated when factory staff and outsiders allegedly attempted to disperse the demonstrators around 9:00 AM, resulting in a physical altercation that left three to four workers injured. The injured workers were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Following the clash, enraged workers vandalized parts of the factory premises. In solidarity, approximately 400-500 workers approached nearby factories, urging other workers to join their protest. Some factories, in response, declared the day a holiday to prevent further unrest.
At Lyric Industries Limited, workers turned violent after the factory authorities delayed announcing a holiday. During the commotion, a female worker sustained a head injury from a thrown brick.
Police Response and Current Situation
Superintendent of Gazipur Industrial Police-2, AKM Jahirul Islam, confirmed that authorities successfully cleared the Tongi highway after promising workers their due payments. "Vehicular movement on the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway is now normal," he stated.
Regarding the Kaliakair protest, he added, "Additional police have been deployed at Daeyu Bangladesh Limited. The situation is currently stable, and discussions are underway with the factory authorities to resolve the issue."
As tensions remain high, workers continue to demand timely wage payments and better treatment from factory management, underscoring ongoing labor concerns in Bangladesh's garment sector.
