Readymade garments factory workers in Ashulia, Savar, have lifted their blockade of the Nawabganj-Chandra Highway after a protracted 53 hours, allowing traffic to return to normal.
The decision to withdraw the blockade was made around midday on Wednesday (2 October) following assurances from the military.
The protest began on Sunday, 30 September, at approximately 9:30am when workers took to the highway. The action was sparked by the Bird Group’s announcement of layoffs, with the affected workers expecting to receive their service benefits and compensation on the specified date.
However, the management abruptly ceased communication with the workers, failing to settle any outstanding payments and instead posting a notice at the factory gate requesting an additional three months to meet their obligations.
The following morning, when workers visited the factory in hopes of receiving their dues, they discovered the management’s request for a further three-month extension. This led to heightened tensions, prompting the workers to block the road at the Burir Bazar area of the Nawabganj-Chandra Highway.
The blockade caused significant disruption, leaving numerous individuals stranded as heavy traffic built up.
Many long-distance buses and freight trucks were stuck for several kilometres along the highway.
The blockade also had a ripple effect on nearby roads, including the Dhaka-Aricha and Tongi-Ashulia-EPZ highways, resulting in severe congestion.
Reports indicated that there was approximately three kilometres of traffic congestion from Bishmail to Nawabganj and around seven kilometres from Nawabganj to Sripur on the Nawabganj-Chandra Highway.
