In Savar's Ashulia region, garment workers have staged a protest, blocking a key road to demand the payment of overdue wages.
The protest, which began at 8am on Sunday (16 February), saw workers obstructing the Bismail-Jirabo Road at Amtala, disrupting traffic in the area.
According to Shahidul Islam, a worker at the factory, the management has failed to pay wages for the previous month.
"The owners had promised to pay salaries during the first week of the month, but this commitment has not been honoured. Since 9 February, workers have been protesting, but the management has been evasive. Today, they did not even allow us to enter the factory premises," he stated.
The workers have now intensified their protests, demanding the immediate payment of their outstanding salaries and the reopening of the factory.
Tariqul Islam, the factory’s marketing and merchandising director, explained that the company has regularly paid wages in the past.
"The owner arranged the December wages through various means. However, due to the current economic situation and difficulties accessing banking services following the government's fall, we have faced delays in paying salaries. We are doing everything possible and will ensure the wages are paid soon," he added.
In response, the Industrial Police-1 Superintendent Mohammad Mominul Islam Bhuiyan said that the police were present at the scene, trying to resolve the issue.
"The workers have been blocking the road since this morning. We are in contact with the owners, but they are currently abroad. We have also informed the BGMEA. The workers have made it clear that they will not lift the blockade without assurances. We are making efforts to address their legitimate concerns."
The protest highlights growing unrest among workers over delayed payments, with factory owners facing increasing pressure to resolve the dispute promptly.
