Workers protested by blocking the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway on Sunday morning in Gazipur’s Barabari area, demanding clearance arrears and reopening the factory that had been declared closed.
National Chemical Manufacturing Company Ltd's workers staged the demonstration from 9am to 11am on Sunday morning.
During this time, traffic was halted in both directions on the highway, causing inconvenience to travellers heading to various destinations.
The protesting workers said they are demanding payment for their two-month and 19-day layoff in 2023, annual leave payments, and outstanding dues from April 9 to July 7 of the current year, including a 10% Eid bonus.
Over 200 workers were not paid their salaries for seven months before the factory was shut down. Workers repeatedly demanded their unpaid wages, but the management was dismissive.
The workers have also lodged complaints with the Gazipur Deputy Commissioner (DC).
Labour leader Jalal Howladar said: "The authorities declared the factory laid off under section 13(1) and shut it down. The workers are protesting to reopen the factory and claim their seven months of unpaid wages. Since the closure announcement, the management has also started the process of layoffs."
He also demanded the re-employment of laid-off workers.
Mahfuzur Rahman, the factory's worker union president, said: "The factory announced a layoff on April 9 this year. There have been outstanding wages and bonuses for 208 workers for seven months. The management secretly laid off without paying wages or allowances six months ago. We will continue their protest if their wages are not paid."
He added: "A tripartite meeting was held on July 7, but MNH Bulu, the factory owner did not attend. Workers are struggling, with many unable to pay for their children's school fees, leading to their expulsion. Many are going hungry and falling ill. They are unable to afford medical treatment for their sick parents. Landlords threaten to evict them, and shopkeepers press them for outstanding payments. For these reasons, the workers protested."
Gacha police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Ziaul Islam said: "We will discuss the workers' demands with the factory management and find a solution. The workers were persuaded to clear the highway around 11am."
Mosharraf Hossain, assistant superintendent of police (ASP) of Gazipur Industrial Police, said: "After receiving news of the highway blockade, the army and students were present at the scene. Previously, the industrial police and the army had been on-site and brought the workers to the front of the factory, resuming traffic on both sides of the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway."
Maksudur Rahman, inspector (Labour), Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE), Gazipur, promised a tripartite meeting on the upcoming Wednesday at the directorate, after which all workers agreed to leave the factory front.
