Garment factory workers called off their protest and removed their blockade on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway on Monday afternoon following an assurance from the government.
Workers of TNZ Apparels Limited Group have been staging demonstration since Saturday morning demanding payment of their dues for three months.
After withdrawing the blockade in the Maleker Bari area of Gazipur, the vehicular movement on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway resumed after more than 52 hours.
They left the street at around 2PM on Monday (November 11) after Labour and Employment Secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman assured them that they would get one month's salary next Sunday.
Gazipur Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Nazir Ahmed said that the workers took to the street around 9AM on Monday for the third consecutive day to press home their demand. They also vandalized some vehicles on the highway.
He said Shafiquzzaman talked to the workers over the phone after 1PM and said that the government will take responsibility and initially will arrange Tk 6 crore by next Sunday to help pay their dues.
A meeting will be held with the owners over the payment of the rest of the dues, he said. A five-member team, led by Gazipur Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Ershad Mia, will meet the others concerned, the official said.
Gazipur Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer, army officials, and officials of Gazipur metropolitan and industrial police were present at the time alongside protesting workers.
The workers took to the highway on Saturday and continued their demonstration on Monday morning, leading to severe traffic disruptions in a 20-kilometre stretch on both sides of the highway.
Due to the blockade, Dhaka virtually disconnected from Tangail, Mymensingh and some other districts and long-route buses, private vehicles and different types of cargo vehicles remained stranded for more than 52 hours.
Due to the protest, at least 20 garment factories in the surrounding area declared holiday to avert trouble. On Sunday, at least 30 other factories were shut down to prevent further unrest.
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