Protests by garment factory workers demanding three months' unpaid wages have brought the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway to a standstill for nearly 24 hours, leading to a 12-kilometre traffic jam and severe disruptions for vehicles and commuters using the route.
Law enforcement agencies have engaged in multiple rounds of dialogue with the protesting workers in an effort to defuse the situation, but negotiations have repeatedly failed, intensifying the protests.
On Sunday (10 November) from around 8am, a visit to the Bhogra area of the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway revealed a 12-kilometre stretch of stalled vehicles.
Transport drivers expressed concern over perishable goods being damaged due to the prolonged blockade.
The uninterrupted 23-hour closure has severely affected the transportation of emergency patients and disrupted general passenger movement.
Rehana Begum, a protesting female worker said, "We sweat and toil, but the owner has not paid us for three months and is inflicting injustices upon us. We will not vacate the road until we receive our dues."
Another worker, Anwar Mia, recounted: "Last month, they promised to pay our salaries but made us work another month without payment. Do we not have families? Do we not need to eat? We owe three months' rent, there is no food at home. Who will see to this? Soon, landlords will kick us out."
Mozammel Haque, who was stranded with his family in the Bhogra bypass area, said: "We were heading to our village home with my wife and children. We walked two kilometres, only to find the road blocked. We are left with no choice but to wait here."
Meanwhile, thousands of vehicle drivers trapped in the protest have endured extreme hardships.
Passenger vehicles have been stranded since the previous day. Afzal Mondol, a driver for Alom Asia Transport said: "I was on my way from Dhaka to Mymensingh when I was stopped here at 11am yesterday. My vehicle was full of passengers. After a few hours, they disembarked and continued on foot. Since then, I have been stuck here through the day and night."
Despite the presence of multiple teams of law enforcement attempting to negotiate with the workers since yesterday, efforts to normalise the situation have been in vain. The protesting workers have vowed to continue their demonstrations until their demands are met and their outstanding wages are paid.
Gazipur Industrial Police-2 Superintendent of Police Sarwar Alam stated: "Workers from Maleker Bari and Boardbazar areas in Gazipur are demonstrating over unpaid wages and have blocked the highway. Law enforcement is in discussions with both parties to resolve the matter."
The protests initially began at 9am on Saturday (9 November), when workers from TNJ Apparels Limited in Maleker Bari, Gazipur, blocked the highway demanding back pay.
Simultaneously, workers from SMS Fashion Wear Limited in Boardbazar demanded the reopening of their factory, leading to road blockades at various points on the highway.
Despite easing slightly in the evening, the protestors resumed their firm stance on the road overnight.
