Holiday declared at 10 RMG factories in Gazipur amid workers’ protest

At least 10 ready-made garment (RMG) factories declared holiday on Tuesday after workers staged protests over unpaid wages and alleged attacks on their fellows, blocking highways in Gazipur's Tongi and Kaliakair areas, reports bdnews24.com.

Protesters barricaded and occupied the highways from 8:00 am to press for various demands. The blockades resulted in severe traffic congestion. Law-enforcement agencies subsequently intervened to restore order.

Given the circumstances, authorities decided to close 10 factories in Gazipur.

Earlier, workers from BHIS Apparels Ltd blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway in Tongi area.

After blocking the highway for three hours, the workers called off their protests at 11:00 am, allowing traffic to resume, according to Gazipur Industrial Police Superintendent A K M Zahirul Islam.

"We are now discussing their demands with factory owners, and hope to resolve the issue soon," said Zahirul.

Meanwhile, in Kaliakair, the RMG workers also withdrew from the Dhaka-Tangail Highway after protesting against the assaults on colleagues at Globus Garments factory.

The workers had taken to the streets at around 8:00 am, demanding action against the perpetrators. The protesters dispersed by 10:00 am, restoring regular traffic flow, according to Kaliakair Police Station chief Riad Mahmud.

Due to the protests, at least 15 nearby factories in Kaliakair were temporarily closed, he said.