Ready-made garment workers (RMG) have blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in Gazipur's Maleker Bari area for over 10 hours, demanding unpaid wages, leading to severe traffic congestion stretching 8 kilometers on both sides of the highway on Saturday night.
The protest began around 9:30 AM on Saturday by the workers of TNZ Apparels Ltd , causing immense distress for commuters.
By the time this report was written (8 PM), the workers had yet to end their blockade despite twice promising to do so.
Police reported that the protesters have now promised to clear the highway by 10 PM.
Deputy Police Commissioner (Traffic) of Gazipur Metropolitan Police, Ibrahim Khan, told that the blockade had led to massive traffic jams, with congestion extending near Tongi to the south. Authorities have arranged alternative routes for some vehicles and opened shortcuts for stranded drivers and passengers. Efforts are ongoing to negotiate with both the factory owners and the workers to resolve the situation.
Deputy Commissioner (Crime, North) of Gazipur Metropolitan Police, Nazir Ahmed, added that officials have met with the protesting workers 10 to 12 times throughout the day. The workers were assured that steps would be taken to recover their dues from the factory owners.
However, the protesters claimed that previous promises by the owners had not been honored. Initially, they agreed to lift the blockade by 2 PM, then by 5 PM, but failed to do so. The latest promise is to end the protest by 10 PM.
The day-long traffic disruption has severely affected passengers. Aslam Khan, traveling from Mymensingh's Bhaluka to Dhaka with his wife and three-year-old child, has been stuck since 10:30 AM. "We bought food from nearby shops, but my child doesn’t eat store-bought items. He has been crying constantly," he said, feeling helpless in the situation.
Driver Kalam Mia said being stuck since 9:30 AM, with no way to turn back. Another passenger, Mehedi Hasan, said his vehicle was stopped at 9:45 AM and that he had four women, including a six-month-old infant, in the car, adding, "This has happened a few times before; the government should intervene and find a solution."
Gazipur industrial police confirmed that TNZ Apparels Ltd, located in Gazipur City Corporation's Maleker Bari area, has been closed without paying workers' salaries. After failing to receive their dues despite repeated requests, the workers gathered and began protesting by blocking the highway. Both police and army personnel are on-site trying to control the situation.
