Workers at an export-oriented garment factory in Rupganj, Narayanganj have staged protests over unpaid wages, layoffs, and alleged mistreatment.
The unrest began Saturday morning at B Brothers Company Limited in Moikuli area, escalating into repeated clashes with police, leaving at least 20 people—including workers, police, journalists, and bystanders—injured.
Workers, numbering nearly 3,000, claimed they had not received salaries for December 2025 and January–February 2026, despite repeated assurances from management. Alleging abuse and retaliatory layoffs when demanding payment, they refused to work and protested inside the factory, eventually blocking the Dhaka–Sylhet highway for about five hours, causing severe traffic congestion over an 18-kilometre stretch and trapping ambulances and other vehicles.
Police and factory officials attempted to negotiate a resolution, but tensions escalated, leading Rupganj police, led by OC Shabzel Hossain, to conduct a baton charge around 12:45pm to clear the road. During the clashes, workers damaged vehicles and parts of the factory, and police fired tear gas rounds.
At least 20 people were injured, including workers, police, journalists, and passersby. Some bystanders were hurt while fleeing the scene. Factory management and police have not yet issued formal statements regarding the incident.
This protest highlights ongoing labour disputes in Bangladesh’s garment export sector, particularly over unpaid wages and working conditions, and reflects broader frustrations among workers during Ramadan and other economic pressures.
Tension still prevails at the scene. Attempts to contact the factory management for a statement were unsuccessful, as they refused to comment. Similarly, no official statement was immediately available from the police.
