More than 100 workers of Hagh Knitwears, a garment factory in Kaliakair, Gazipur, staged a protest and blocked the Dhaka-Tangail highway for an hour on Tuesday, demanding their Eid bonuses and three months’ outstanding wages.
The factory employs over 300 workers.
Law enforcement authorities had a discussion with the relevant factory officials regarding the issue.
The protest took place from 7:30am to 8:30am in the Kamrangichala area of the upazila.
According to the protesting workers, they have been demanding the payment of their Eid bonuses and overdue salaries for several days.
However, the factory authorities did not provide any response regarding their demands.
At around 7am, when workers arrived at the factory, they found the gates locked, which triggered the demonstration.
As the protest escalated, workers occupied the Dhaka-Tangail highway, disrupting traffic movement.
Upon receiving information, law enforcement personnel arrived at the scene and persuaded the workers to vacate the highway, allowing vehicular movement to resume from 8:30am.
Expressing their frustration, the aggrieved workers said they have not received their salaries for the past three months, including the current month.
With Eid approaching, they are still uncertain about their wages and bonuses. Despite repeatedly urging the authorities to settle their dues, their requests have been ignored, the protesters added.
They mentioned that on Monday, they once again demanded their salaries and Eid bonuses, but instead of addressing their concerns, the factory management had locked the gates and left.
The workers warned that if their dues remain unpaid, they will resort to more stringent protests.
Abu Taleb, assistant superintendent of police (ASP) of the Gazipur Industrial Police, said that upon receiving reports of the protest, personnel from the Gazipur Industrial Police, Kaliakair police station and the army intervened to pacify the situation and persuaded the workers to leave the highway, following which traffic movement resumed at 8:30am.
Despite multiple attempts, no representatives from the factory management were available for comment.
Superintendent of Police (SP) of Gazipur Industrial Police AKM Zahurul Islam said: “Efforts are being made to ensure the workers receive their due wages and bonuses before Eid to restore normalcy. Discussions are ongoing with the relevant authorities, and necessary arrangements will be made to settle the workers’ payments.”
