Shoe factory workers protest in Lakshmipur for back pay, Eid allowance

The workers of a shoe factory in Lakshmipur have demonstrated for back pay and Eid-ul-Fitr allowance.

They blocked the Dhaka-Raipur regional road in the Rakhalia Bazar area for four hours until Saturday noon before being dispersed by police.

The blockade caused immense suffering for travellers and truckers, reports bdnews24.com.

Sheikh Sadi, superintendent of police, said the local authorities assured the Bengal Shoe Industries workers of conveying their demands to the factory owners after the protests began at 8:00 am.

However, the protesters refused to end their blockade until a written agreement with the owners.

Later, a deal was signed in the presence of local representatives and administration officials.

According to the deal, the factory would pay 25 per cent of the Eid allowance and the wage for February before the festival. The rest of the allowance would be paid with the wage of March after Eid.

But, a section of the protesters refused the agreement and tried to block the road again.

They threw brickbats at police when the law enforcers baton-charged them, said SP Sadi.

Police managed to clear the road afterwards and bring the situation to normalcy, he said.