Garment Workers Block Roads Demanding Wages

In Narayanganj’s Fatulla area, a group of garment workers staged a road blockade on Thursday morning (12 February), demanding the immediate payment of overdue wages and bonuses. The protest took place near the Gabtoli Police Line, outside the Century Garments factory, causing significant traffic congestion on both sides of the road.

The workers alleged that the factory management has failed to pay salaries and overtime wages for the past two months. “Our salaries were due on Monday, but the payment did not arrive. We have repeatedly requested management to settle the dues, but there has been no response,” said Abdul Khalek, a cutting man at the factory.

Frustrated by the lack of resolution, the workers resorted to blocking the road, bringing traffic to a standstill and creating severe inconvenience for commuters. The blockade drew the attention of both local authorities and law enforcement agencies.

Fatulla Model Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge, Abdul Mannan, stated that upon receiving reports of the protest, police, industrial police, and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) officials arrived at the scene. “We spoke with the workers and initiated discussions with the factory management. Following assurances from the management that dues would be settled promptly, the workers lifted the blockade at around 11:30 am, and traffic resumed its normal flow,” he added.

The workers, however, warned that their agitation would continue until all outstanding payments, including overtime and bonuses, are cleared. The incident highlights the ongoing issues faced by garment workers in Bangladesh, a sector that remains critical to the country’s economy yet often sees delays in wage disbursement.

Summary of the Protest

Labour rights advocates have frequently raised concerns about such delays in wage payments, urging factory owners to adhere strictly to labour laws. This incident underscores the persistent challenges within the garment sector, where thousands of workers rely on timely wages for their daily survival.