Workers of at least 12 factories continued to demonstrate and block roads in Gazipur yesterday, demanding payment of their wages.
The workers belonged to West Line Garments in Board Bazar, Amity Sweaters Ltd in Chhaidana Hajipukur, Divine Fashion Ltd in Konabari, Spectra Sweater and Royal Shoes in Tongi, Intramax Apparels in Gazipur Sadar, and six other factories, according to several police officials.
Rafiqul Islam, inspector of Gazipur Industrial Police, said there was trouble concerning due wages of West Line Garments workers in Board Bazar, and the workers began to protest outside the factory entrance yesterday.
At one point, they blocked the nearby Dhaka-Gazipur highway for three hours. Police mediated with the factory authorities on their behalf, who later promised to pay all their wages partially now, and the rest by May 10, he added.
The inspector also confirmed similar protests in front of Amity Sweaters Ltd in Chhaidana Hajipukur and other places.
Abdul Jalil, another inspector of Gazipur industrial police, told Dhaka Tribune that tensions arose when authorities of Divine Fashion Ltd in Konabari began to take their workers' office identification cards when paying their wages.
Mistaking ID card retention for layoff, the workers took to the streets before police intervened and returned all their office ID cards.
