Workers Block Highway in N’ganj Demanding Unpaid Wages

Staff Correspondent :
In Rupganj, Narayanganj, workers of Premier Steel and Rolling Mills blocked the Dhaka–Sylhet Highway on Wednesday (October 29) to demand their unpaid wages. During the protest, some of the agitated workers brought down electric poles and set tires on fire on the road. The blockade began around 2:00 PM and continued until 3:30 PM in the Borpa area of the upazila, with several hundred workers participating. After about an hour and a half, police managed to disperse them from the highway. According to the workers, their salaries have been overdue for four months. Because of the delay, around two hundred workers are struggling to pay rent and manage their daily expenses. They said they have held several meetings with the factory management, but to no avail — the owners kept making empty promises. Under pressure from the workers, the factory management had assured them earlier on Wednesday morning that the arrears would soon be cleared. However, when the management offered to pay only 20 days’ worth of dues, the workers rejected it. Angered, they occupied the Dhaka–Sylhet Highway in front of the factory and began their blockade.

The protesters set tires on fire and placed tree trunks and poles across the road, causing heavy traffic congestion in both directions. As a result, passengers and pedestrians suffered severe inconvenience. Speaking on the issue, factory contractor Mintu Mia said, “We tried to pay one month’s due wages, but the workers didn’t agree. We are in talks with the management to fulfill their demands as soon as possible.” Rupganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Tariqul Islam said, “Police were sent to the scene immediately after we received reports of worker unrest. We are discussing the matter with the factory management to find a resolution. Traffic on the Dhaka–Sylhet Highway is now back to normal.”