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Workers of a readymade garments factory have blocked the highway in Savar’s Ashulia industrial area, demanding the reopening of closed factories and an increase in wages.
As workers positioned themselves outside several factories, authorities declared a public holiday for four factories of safety concerns. Currently, 16 factories in Ashulia have halted production indefinitely.
On Saturday morning, workers of Lusaka Garments protested by blocking the road in the Jirabo area of the Dhaka-Tangail highway.
They were later joined by workers from Mondol Group and Mango Tex.
The protesters left the road after receiving assurances from the authorities regarding their demands, bdnews24.com reports.
The workers said the authorities announced the closure of the Lusaka factory a few days ago in response to demands from the workforce. They gathered outside the factory this morning to demand its reopening before marching to other factories.
Sarwar Alam, superintendent of Industrial Police-1, said: "12 factories are closed under section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006, and four have been granted general leave.”
He added that the situation in the industrial area remains normal.
Sarwar said, "Workers from Mondol Group are protesting for a pay rise, and we have convinced them to disperse."
“In addition, law-enforcing agencies are on alert for security in the area, with ongoing patrols by joint forces”, he added.