Workers of BHIS Apparels clothing factory in Tongi, Gazipur, blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway, demanding their salaries and Eid bonuses.
The protest began around 9am on Monday with workers from the factory located in the Tongi Hossain market area taking part in the demonstration.
The highway blockade continued for around an hour before the police intervened and persuaded the workers to negotiate.
During the protest several kilometres of severe traffic jams were created on both sides of the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway.
According to the protesting workers, they have been requesting the factory authorities for several days to announce the payment date for their salaries and Eid-ul-Azha bonuses for the current month of June. However, the factory management has repeatedly delayed providing a fixed date for the disbursement of payments.
Matters escalated when the workers arrived at the factory on Monday and approached the authorities at 8:15am, only to be met with mistreatment. Outraged by this behaviour, the workers ceased work and occupied the highway near the Hossain Market area of the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway.
Factory owner Iqbal Hossain clarified that the workers did not cause any damage to the factory premises, but instead positioned themselves on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway. He assured that the salaries for June and Eid bonuses would be paid within a few days.
Gazipur Industrial Police Inspector (Tongi Zone), Osman Gani, informed that the protesting workers were escorted back to the factory from the road, where discussions were held with both the workers and the factory owner. Efforts are currently underway to resolve the issue.
