Garment workers blocked the Dhaka–Sylhet highway in Rupganj on Wednesday, demanding payment of two months’ due salaries and Eid bonuses. The protest caused a long traffic jam on the busy highway and brought suffering to commuters.
Workers of Bhuiyan Fabrics, a garment factory located in the Khadun area of Tarabo Municipality, began the blockade around 11:00 am. The road remained blocked for about an hour, creating an approximately 8-kilometre traffic congestion on both sides of the highway.
According to the workers, around 400 employees work at the factory. They alleged that their January and February salaries, along with their Eid bonus, had remained unpaid for a long time despite repeated assurances from the authorities.
The workers said they came to the factory in the morning expecting to receive their dues. However, they were informed that the payments would instead be made on March 18, which sparked anger among them. In protest, they took to the highway and blocked the road.
The blockade disrupted traffic movement on the busy route, causing significant inconvenience to passengers and local residents.
Later, following the intervention of the local administration, the factory authorities assured the workers that all outstanding salaries and bonuses would be paid on Thursday (March 12). After receiving the assurance, the workers withdrew the blockade and returned to work, allowing traffic on the highway to gradually return to normal.
Sub-Inspector Humayun Ahmed of Rupganj Police Station confirmed the incident and said the workers ended the protest after the employer promised to clear their dues the next day.