Workers block road demanding unpaid wages; 52 Ashulia factories still closed

Workers of a garment factory in Ashulia, Savar, blocked a road on Monday demanding overdue wages, disrupting traffic for a long period on Tongi-Ashulia-Zerabo-EPZ Road, while production was halted at 52 factories in the industrial zone amid disputes between workers and owners. 

Of the 52 factories, 43 factories were closed under Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, while nine declared a general holiday.

The Industrial Police said the 52 factories remained closed due to ongoing labour unrest and for security reasons. 

It added that traffic returned to normal at around 11:30am when the protesting workers cleared the road. 

It mentioned that production was running peacefully in the remaining factories, though law enforcement remained on alert to prevent any untoward incidents.

Sarwar Alam, the superintendent of police (SP) of Industrial Police-1, said police were facilitating meetings between workers and owners to resolve their disputes through dialogue.