Workers block Gazipur highway demanding Tk 30,000 minimum wage

Garment workers took to the streets again in different parts of Gazipur demanding a minimum wage of Tk 30,000. Their blockade halted traffic on the Dhaka–Tangail highway from Sunday (November 1) morning. Five platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed in the district to bring the situation under control.

Workers occupied the highway in the Shafipur Bazar, Chandra Palli Bidyut, Mouchak and Telichala areas of Kaliakair upazila from the morning, chanting slogans for higher wages. The blockade caused hardship for passengers travelling along the route.

According to workers and police, workers from several factories in the Ratanpur area, including Karoni Knit Composite and Knit Asia, gathered at Shafipur Bazar after marking their attendance but did not start work. When they occupied the highway, workers from nearby factories joined the protest. Several factories declared a holiday because of the situation.

Kaliakair Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shahidul Islam said traffic had remained suspended as workers had occupied the highway since the morning.

Meanwhile, a police box in the middle of the highway in Gazipur city's Konabari was set on fire. Konabari Police Station OC Iftekhar Hossain said agitated workers set fire to the police box. Items inside were taken out and also set ablaze.

Gazipur Deputy Commissioner Md Nurul Karim Bhuiyan said five platoons of BGB had been deployed in view of the situation. More would be deployed if necessary.

Garment workers have been protesting for higher wages in different parts of Gazipur for nearly two weeks. On Saturday, they also blocked the highway in Kaliakair's Chandra Palli Bidyut area and near Gate No. 3 of the Ansar Academy.

Police and workers said Saturday's blockade continued until 8:30pm. Police later fired tear gas shells and used batons to disperse the workers, restoring traffic after nearly five hours. The blockade resumed the following morning.