In a significant demonstration of discontent, workers from a Gazipur factory staged a blockade on the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway during the early hours of Tuesday morning. Their primary demands include timely salary payments and an adjustment in line with the newly introduced pay scale.
The incident unfolded at approximately 6:30 am in the Sreepur upazila of the district, leading to substantial traffic congestion on both lanes of the highway. The disruption impacted commuters, including office-goers and fellow factory workers.
Prompt response from Industrial Police and officials from the Mawna Highway police station helped disperse the protesting workers by 7 am, restoring normal traffic flow.
Workers from the Zam Zam Spinning Factory, at the center of the protest, voiced concerns about recurrent delays in receiving their salaries. Despite an expected payment by the first week of the month, they claim the factory authorities consistently extend the payout period, causing financial strain.
Highlighting disparities in wages, the workers mentioned that they currently receive Tk7,000, falling short of the Tk9,000 stipulated by the new wage scale. Allegedly, previous attempts to address the issue with the factory authorities yielded no tangible results.
In response to the workers’ grievances, Ariful Islam, the administrative officer of Zam Zam Spinning Factory, dismissed the claims as “illogical demands,” asserting that salaries are consistently disbursed on schedule every month.
Ismail Hossain, Sub-Inspector (SI) of Mawna Highway police station, acknowledged the situation and revealed that, following communication with the factory authorities, assurances were given to the workers that their demands would be addressed.
