RMG workers in Chandina upazila blocked the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway on Friday, 28th February, protesting against unpaid wages and causing significant traffic congestion on both sides of the road. The demonstration commenced around 9:30 am in the West Belashahar area, involving workers from the Denim Processing Plant factory.
The blockade persisted for over an hour, resulting in a 20-kilometre traffic jam. Local authorities intervened, and traffic resumed around 10:45 am. The workers alleged that members of the BNP, along with police, intervened to facilitate the removal of their blockade. Sub-Inspector Md Monirul Islam of the Eliotganj Highway Police Outpost reported that discussions with factory owners assured workers their salaries would be paid soon, prompting them to leave the highway.
The incident coincided with a scheduled conference for the Cumilla BNP unit in Chandina, and party leaders collaborated with police to clear the highway for their members. Chandina upazila BNP Convener Md Atikul Alam Shaon commented, “Blocking the highway over minor issues has become a habit. We assured the workers that we would speak to the factory owners to resolve their dues, and they withdrew the blockade trusting our words.”
This is not the first instance of workers from the same factory blocking the highway over unpaid wages, highlighting ongoing concerns about labour conditions in the RMG sector.
