Garment workers blocked the Dhaka-Tangail highway in Gazipur’s Naojor area on Tuesday, setting fire to roadside waste and bringing traffic to a standstill.
The blockade began around 9:30am in front of Diganta Sweater factory.
Workers dragged accumulated rubbish and waste from the roadside onto the highway and set it on fire, disrupting traffic between Joydebpur Chourasta and Naojor intersection.
Protesters also obstructed all vehicles, including auto-rickshaws and motorcycles. Some were seen playing cricket on the highway.
Journalists at the scene faced resistance from protesters when they attempted to speak to the workers and collect information, photographs and video footage.
Earlier in the morning, Mohammad Amjad Hossain, superintendent of Gazipur Industrial Police, said a group of workers had attempted to block the Dhaka-Tangail highway in the Mouchak area of Kaliakair shortly before 8am.
Law enforcement personnel intervened and persuaded the workers to clear the road without confrontation, he said, adding that security forces remained on high alert at several points along the highway.
