Garment workers staged demonstrations and blocked the Dhaka-Aricha Highway in Hemayetpur, Savar, on Wednesday, demanding that their minimum monthly wages and allowances be raised to Tk 30,000. The protest brought traffic on both sides of the busy highway to a standstill, causing long tailbacks and considerable disruption for passengers and transport operators.
The demonstrations began at around 9.05am on 4 November, when workers split into three groups and took up positions at different points in the area. One group gathered near Padma Mor, while another occupied the area around Hemayetpur bus stand.
The blockade disrupted traffic travelling in both directions, affecting vehicles heading from Dhaka towards Aricha as well as those travelling towards the capital. Several kilometres of congestion developed on either side of the highway, leaving commuters stranded and disrupting the movement of public transport and other vehicles.
The situation became tense when attempts were made to disperse workers who had already gathered beside the Dhaka-Aricha Highway. At around 9.10am, protesters moved on to the carriageway and blocked the road completely, bringing traffic to a halt.
The demonstration reflects workers’ growing concerns over wages and living costs. Garment workers have repeatedly raised issues surrounding pay, allowances and working conditions, with the rising cost of essential goods and other household expenses placing additional pressure on low-income employees.
A monthly wage and allowance package of Tk 30,000 is the central demand of the protesters. However, the immediate demonstration caused disruption well beyond the industrial workforce, particularly for people relying on the Dhaka-Aricha route for daily travel and commercial transport.
Tensions also spread to several locations across the industrial area. Despite the unrest, a section of the workers later returned home peacefully. Law enforcement personnel remained on alert to prevent further escalation and maintain order.
The Dhaka-Aricha Highway is an important transport corridor connecting the capital with Savar and areas beyond. Any prolonged disruption along the route can affect commuters, businesses and the movement of goods.
The latest protest has once again drawn attention to the challenges surrounding industrial relations in Bangladesh’s garment sector, where workers’ demands for better pay must be addressed alongside the need to maintain stable factory operations and uninterrupted transport links.
No further details were available about the outcome of discussions between the workers and factory authorities or whether additional demonstrations would be organised.
