Staff Reporter :
Protests over wages and working conditions in the country’s massive Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector have erupted into violent clashes in two of Bangladesh’s industrial powerhouses, Gazipur and Narayanganj.
Demonstrators, mostly factory workers, have taken to the streets in large numbers, blocking roads, setting vehicles on fire, and clashing with police forces.
RMG workers of several factories including T&Z Group Gazipur returned to blocking the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway Dhaka-Mymensingh highway and Dhaka-Pagla-Munshiganj road on Monday noon demanding unpaid of three months’ wages.
In Narayanganj, several hundred workers staged a protest and blocked the Dhaka-Pagla-Munshiganj road in Narayanganj’s Fatullah area on Monday noon demanding unpaid wages.
The protest began in the BSCIC industrial area, where the workers voiced grievances over outstanding wages.
The situation escalated again after the workers returned to the road, halting traffic on both the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway and the Dhaka Bypass Road.
Passenger buses, cargo trucks, and other vehicles were trapped in long queues, causing significant distress for those trying to commute to work.
Several factories were vandalised during the protest, and surrounding garment factories were forced to shut down operations.
Workers have vowed to continue their protests until their full dues are cleared.
A meeting is scheduled at the Ministry of Labour where workers and factory owners will discuss the resolution of the remaining arrears.
Mostafizur Rahman, a BSCIC Industrial City official, said: “There are 432 factories in the Narayanganj BSCIC Industrial Area. In the face of worker unrest, most of the factories have declared a holiday before lunch.
Shaheeda Akhtar, a garment worker at the ‘R-4’ factory, said around 11:30am: “Our lunch break is at 12:30pm. After some factories were vandalised, they got scared and declared a holiday.”
Police and BGB personnel have been deployed and taken up positions in the area to control the disorder.
Jahanara, a worker in the sewing section of the Crony Group’s Abanti Colour Tex Garment Factory identified with a single name, said: “Since last year, the factory owner has been avoiding paying salaries. My salary is due from last August.
The factory suddenly announced layoffs last month without paying our wages.”
