Garment workers from several factories staged a road blockade in the Azampur area of Uttara, Dhaka, on Wednesday, demanding higher wages. The protest, which began at around 11 am on 14 October, brought traffic to a standstill on one side of the Dhaka–Mymensingh Highway, causing severe congestion on the main road and surrounding streets.
The blockade has left commuters, public transport passengers and pedestrians facing significant difficulties, with many struggling to reach their destinations on time.
Workers from different garment factories began gathering in Azampur in the morning to press their demand for a pay rise. They later took up positions on the highway and began their demonstration, disrupting traffic along the busy route.
The workers said they had taken to the streets to demand higher wages. As employees from several factories joined the protest, the number of demonstrators on the highway increased, bringing vehicles to a halt. Long queues of vehicles formed along the affected stretch, while congestion spread to nearby roads.
Public transport passengers have been among those worst affected. Many were left stranded inside buses for extended periods, unable to move through the congested roads. Some eventually got off their vehicles and continued on foot in an attempt to reach their destinations.
Sipper Mahmud, who was stranded on a bus, described the difficulties caused by the blockade.
“I left home in the morning for an urgent task. But I got stuck because of the workers’ blockade. After waiting on the bus for a long time, I am now walking to my destination,” he said.
The disruption has affected people travelling to workplaces and those heading out for urgent appointments. The congestion in and around Azampur has also made movement difficult for pedestrians and other road users.
The Dhaka–Mymensingh Highway is a major transport route connecting the capital with northern parts of the country. Disruptions along this corridor can affect a large number of commuters and vehicles, particularly during busy daytime hours.
However, details of the workers’ specific wage demands, including the amount of increase they are seeking, were not immediately available. It was also unclear whether factory authorities had held discussions with the workers to resolve the dispute.
No detailed information was available about any steps taken by the authorities to end the blockade or restore normal traffic movement.
Commuters travelling through Azampur and nearby areas have been advised to consider alternative routes and allow extra time for their journeys while the disruption continues.
