Workers of Alema Knitwear Limited have blocked the Dhaka-Tangail highway in protest over unpaid salaries, leading to the closure of at least 12 nearby factories due to labor unrest.
The workers blocked both the Dhaka-Tangail and Dhaka-Mymensingh highways at the Bhogra Bypass intersection in Gazipur around 9am on Monday.
Inspector Faruk Hossain of the Gazipur Industrial Police said that more than 300 workers from Alema Knitwear Limited gathered at Peyara Bagan Bus Stand before moving to the Gazipur Bypass intersection, where they blocked both highways.
The workers said the factory has more than 300 workers, but they do not receive salaries on time each month. When it is time to pay, the authorities delay without any valid reason, which forced them to start the protest on Monday.
Assistant Superintendent of the Gazipur Industrial Police Mohammad Wahiduzzaman said: "The workers are agitated due to irregular salary payments. Around 10am, we convinced them to clear the roads and restore traffic movement. However, some workers entered the bypass road and began throwing bricks and stones at nearby factories.
“As a result, the authorities of at least 12 factories, including Rowa Fashion Limited, Mastrade International Garments Limited, Colossus Apparel Limited, Rose Sweater Limited, Square Fashion Limited, and Fardar Fashions Limited, declared closures."
Attempts to contact the management of Alema Knitwear Limited were unsuccessful, Wahiduzzaman added.
