Steel factory workers block highway over unpaid wages

Staff reporter :

Workers of Premier Steel and Rolling Mills (PSRM) blocked the Dhaka–Sylhet highway in Narayanganj’s Rupganj on Wednesday, demanding payment of four months’ outstanding salaries.

The protest began around 1pm in the Borpa area and continued until 3pm, causing long traffic queues in both directions and significant disruption for commuters.

Police and local representatives intervened and held discussions with factory authorities, who assured that all pending wages would be cleared soon, police officials said.

Following the assurance, workers dispersed and traffic flow resumed by mid-afternoon, confirmed Rupganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Tariqul Islam.

Workers alleged that the company has repeatedly delayed salary payments for the last four months, despite several meetings between employees and management. They claimed factory officials had been giving excuses instead of clearing the dues.

Premier Steel and Rolling Mills currently employs about 200 workers.
Mintu Mia, an administrative official at the factory, said the management had attempted to pay one month of the arrears, but the workers refused partial payment.