Ready made garment workers on Monday blocked the Nabinagar-Chandra and Baipail-Abdullahpur roads with an 11-point demand, resulting in to closure of 35 factories in Ashulia, Savar.
The 11-point demand includes, an end to worker layoffs, the provision of attendance bonuses, equal hiring of men and women, and the cessation of punitive measures against protesting workers.
The protest began at 8:00 AM in DEPZ area and continued as job seekers gathered in front of various factories by 9:00 AM in Palashbari and other factories in Nischintapur and Jamgara areas. In response to the growing tension, authorities announced the closure of at least 35 factories in the industrial area for safety reasons.
According to a worker who requested anonymity, a group of people armed with sticks began throwing bricks at 'The Rose' factory in Jamgara and later targeted the IDS factory. It remains unclear whether these individuals were workers or job seekers, but the authorities decided to close the factories as a precaution.
Protesting worker Abdur Rahman shared his frustration, saying, "I have been unemployed for four months. Even though I came here looking for work, security guards aren't letting us in. Meanwhile, unqualified people are getting jobs through favoritism and bribes." Another worker, Khajida Akter, expressed similar concerns, stating, "I'm struggling because I can't find a job. I know the work, but I'm still unemployed. Rent, debts, and household expenses are piling up. We will continue our protest until our demands are met."
By 10:30 AM, a notice was posted at the front gate of Guildan Bangladesh, announcing the indefinite closure of all their factories in Bangladesh due to recent "unfortunate and unexpected incidents."
An anonymous worker from Guildan Bangladesh revealed that workers had presented 11 demands, including the assurance that those involved in the protests would not be fired, a 10-year job guarantee for current employees, an increase in attendance bonus from Tk 300 to 800, and a minimum of three years of service and relevant qualifications for promotions.
The Industrial Police reported that the protesting workers blocked various points on the Nabinagar-Chandra and Baipail-Abdullahpur roads, throwing bricks at factories. As tensions rose, authorities declared a shutdown of 35 factories on both sides of the Baipail-Abdullahpur road.
Eventually, members of the Industrial Police and the army arrived on the scene and persuaded the workers to lift the roadblocks, gradually restoring traffic flow. However, job seekers continued to protest in front of DEPZ area on the Nabinagar-Chandra highway.
Superintendent of Police for Industrial Police-1, Md. Sarwar Alam, confirmed that the protests were primarily driven by unemployed individuals demanding jobs, as well as calls for gender parity in garment factory hiring.
With army's assistance, the blockade on the Baipail-Abdullahpur road has been lifted, added the police official.
