Chittagong Garment Workers Block Road Over Unpaid Wages

Garment workers of Etyadi Jeans factory staged a road blockade in Chittagong’s Aturer Depot area on Wednesday morning, demanding payment of long-standing wage arrears and implementation of several other workplace demands.

The workers gathered on the main road in the area on 19 August and began demonstrating, bringing traffic to a standstill for a period. The blockade caused severe congestion on the busy route, leaving commuters, office-goers and other members of the public stranded or facing considerable delays during the morning rush.

According to the protesting workers, their salaries and other employment-related payments have remained unpaid for an extended period. They alleged that despite repeatedly raising the issue with the factory management, their demands had not been adequately addressed. The workers said the continued delay in receiving their wages had placed them under serious financial pressure, particularly as regular income is essential for meeting household expenses.

Apart from the payment of arrears, the workers are also seeking the fulfilment of what they described as legitimate workplace demands. They said they had been compelled to take to the streets after failing to secure a satisfactory resolution through discussions with the authorities concerned.

The protest highlights the broader importance of timely wage payments in the garment sector, where delays in salary disbursement can quickly create financial difficulties for workers and their families. For industrial workers dependent primarily on monthly wages, even a short disruption in payment can affect essential household spending, including food, rent, education and transport costs.

The demonstrators warned that they would announce tougher programmes if the factory authorities failed to meet their demands promptly. They called for the outstanding wages to be paid without further delay and for the remaining issues to be resolved through discussions with the workers.

After receiving information about the blockade, members of the law-enforcement agencies went to the scene. Police worked to bring the situation under control and restore normal traffic movement in the area. Officers also engaged with representatives of the workers and the factory authorities in an effort to prevent the dispute from escalating.

Mahmuda Begum, superintendent of police of Chittagong Industrial Police, said garment workers were demonstrating over unpaid wages and several other demands. She said members of the Industrial Police and local police were present at the scene and were working to manage the situation.

According to the police official, discussions were being held with both sides to seek a mutually acceptable resolution. Authorities were also attempting to restore normal traffic flow while maintaining public order.

The immediate outcome of the negotiations will determine whether the workers withdraw their blockade or continue their protest. For the workers, however, the central demand remains unchanged: settlement of their outstanding wages and a prompt response to their other grievances.