In Ashulia, a group of garment workers blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway for more than two hours on Wednesday, 23 October, as part of a protest demanding a pay rise and other demands. Workers at SDS International Limited, which is based in Ashulia’s Nayarhat neighbourhood, participated in the protest. The traffic jam caused by the blockage was severe.
Negotiations led by local police eventually resulted in the workers lifting the barricade. As part of their 14-point requests, the demonstrators called for improvements in food quality, an end to night shifts, a Taka 1,000 attendance bonus, a Taka 380 incentive, and payment for essential work supplies including shoes, blankets, and bags.
Workers at the factory raised concerns that while the owner operates four factories in Bangladesh with a standard wage of Taka 24,500, workers at SDS International are not receiving the same pay. He also indicated that promised benefits, such as blankets and shoes, had yet to be provided.
Another protester reported that factory management was deducting Taka 12,500 from the anticipated Taka 24,500 salary, claiming that benefits promised by the owner were not reaching the workers.
The workers have vowed to continue their protests until their demands are met. Attempts to reach factory management for comment on the situation were unsuccessful.
