Workers of Amity Sweater Factory protest on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway at Degerchala, Gazipur city, demanding the reopening of their factory.
The protest began at 8:30am on Sunday, as workers gathered on the highway. After discussions between law enforcement, factory owners, and worker representatives, the protesters were removed from the road at 9:30am, about an hour later.
In the layoff notice, the factory management stated that the factory would remain closed from Sunday due to a lack of orders, as per Bangladesh's labor laws. During the layoff period, workers will receive compensation according to the law, and there is no need for workers to physically report to the factory.
Workers said that the sudden closure of the factory has put them in a difficult situation. They did not expect the management to declare a layoff. They insisted that the factory must reopen today, otherwise, they would continue protesting. About 250 workers participated in the protest.
Gazipur Industrial Police Inspector Rajib Hossain said that on Saturday that the factory management announced the layoff, making the factory closed indefinitely. When workers arrived at the factory and saw the closure notice, they started protesting on the highway.
After being persuaded by police, the workers moved to the front of the factory, where they continued their protest. The Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP), Industrial Police, factory owners, and worker representatives are in talks with the workers to find a solution. The factory owners are participating in the discussions.
Gazipur Traffic Police Sub-Inspector Al Mamun said that due to the workers' protest on the highway, traffic on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway was halted for about an hour in the morning. During that time, many passengers were seen walking to their destinations.
By 9:30am, traffic resumed as usual. However, traffic is still moving slowly, with vehicles backed up for at least five kilometers, causing inconvenience for both drivers and passengers.
It was not possible to contact the Amity Sweater management for comment.
