Dhaka: Thousands of workers demonstrated and blocked the highway in the capital of Bangladesh on Saturday. They demanded reopening of the factory, annual leave, outstanding leave payment and bonus. The workers blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway for two hours, disrupting traffic and causing great trouble to the local people. Several reports have revealed that several factories have been closed due to the continuous protests of the workers, while many workers also lost their lives or were seriously injured during the protest march.
Protest started after factory closure
Workers of Giant Knit Garment Factory in Gazipur district of Dhaka division started protesting after seeing the notice of closure of the factory in the morning. Gazipur Industrial Police Sub Inspector (SI) Faruk Hussain said that the workers had protested on Thursday over leave and bonus payment. According to the report of Bangladesh's leading daily 'The Dhaka Tribune', in response to this, the factory officials issued a notice to close the factory. Despite several attempts to negotiate with the officials about leave and bonus, the workers' problems could not be resolved.
Bangladesh's people are in distress during Ramadan
A protesting worker told 'Daily Star', "We are struggling to survive with our families. Eid is approaching, yet there is no guarantee of our leave payment and bonus. The factory should open with firm money and our dues should be paid immediately."
Workers were already angry due to non-payment of wages
Earlier this week, hundreds of workers blocked the Dhaka-Tangail and Dhaka-Mymensingh highways at Bhogra bypass intersection in Gazipur over the issue of non-payment of wages. The protest led to a traffic jam in the already congested area. The protesters alleged that more than 300 workers did not receive their wages. The officials are delaying their wages without giving any valid reason.
15 factories closed in a week
According to local media reports, last week, workers of at least 15 garment factories in Kaliakoir, Gazipur blocked the Dhaka-Tangail highway to protest the closure of a factory and alleged attack on workers. According to a report by the International Labor Organization (ILO) released in November 2024, Bangladesh has the third highest percentage of low-wage workers among South Asian countries after Sri Lanka and Bhutan.
Yunus government ruins Bangladesh
Economists say this growing inequality has forced low-income and unskilled workers to reduce food consumption. Ever since the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus came to power in August 2024, worker protests and strikes have gripped the country over non-payment of dues and deteriorating working conditions. Several reports have revealed that several factories have been shut down due to the continuous protests by workers, while several workers have also lost their lives or were seriously injured during the protest marches.
