Workers from Frame House Footwear Limited, a shoe factory, have staged a protest by blocking the Dhaka-bound lane on the Dhaka-Aricha highway in Dhamrai, demanding an increase in their salaries.
Around 2,000 workers participated in the demonstration, causing a 3-4 kilometres traffic jam on the highway on Saturday morning.
Industrial police intervened, engaging in discussions with both workers and owners. The workers were eventually persuaded to return to the factory around 10:30am.
Sarwar Hossain, a labourer, said: "We receive a salary of Tk7,100. We have appealed to the owners, but they have not complied. Hence, we are protesting."
Another worker, Mohammad Ali, called for a minimum of Tk12,500 for helpers and Tk15,500 for operators, with payment within five days.
Jamal Basunia, assistant general manager (AGM Production), mentioned: “While the salary increase for garment factory workers has been gazetted, the same has not been extended to shoe factory workers. However, the authorities are considering a salary hike next month, and the matter is currently under review.”
Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Industrial Police Anwar Hossain Khan said: "Minimum wages have been set for garment factories, but the same has not been implemented for shoe factory workers. The workers have initiated this movement to demand a salary increase. The owner claims they have not been gazetted. This is essentially the crux of the movement. They blocked the road around 9am. However, they were explained and removed from the road about half an hour ago, and traffic on the road has been restored."
