RMG workers block Dhaka-M'singh highway protesting closure of factory

GAZIPUR, Mar 22 (UNB): Vehicular movement on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway remained suspended for half an hour on Saturday morning as the workers of a garment factory put up barricade at Chandona intersection, protesting the closure of a garment factory without clearing dues and Eid bonus of the workers.

Locals said a tense situation has been prevailing at Zaian Knitwear Fashion Limited in Chandona intersection over the alleged physical assault of three officials of the factory by the workers.

In a row, the factory authorities filed a case and hung a closure notice on the main gate of the factory.

Seeing the closure notice on the main gate, the workers of the factory took to the highway around 8:30 am, halting vehicular movement.

The workers of different factories expressed solidarity with them and they also hurled brick chips targeting different factories.

On information, a team of joint force rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control, said AKM Zahirul Islam, superintendent of Gazipur Industrial Police.

Meanwhile, the authorities of 15 factories declared holiday for today to avert trouble.

The vehicular movement returned to normal around 9 am following joint forces' intervention.