Workers from a ready-made garments factory have been blocking the Nabinagar-Chandra highway over the past 24 hours, demanding the payment of their overdue salaries and bonuses. Thousands of vehicles are stranded on both sides of the highway due to the blockade.
The protest began around 9:00am on Monday when workers from Birds Group took positions to the highway.
The workers said that the company announced layoff its all factories on August 28. While the factory authorities claimed they would pay the workers' salaries on September 10 and provide compensation and bonuses by September 30.
Although the authorities have paid all the salary according to their statement but the company has now requested an additional three-months for paying compensation and service benefits. This delay has prompted the workers to block the highway.
The blockade is affecting several locations along the Nabinagar-Chandra highway, including Jirani Bazar, Kabirpur, Baroipara, and Sreepur roads.
The prolonged blockage has caused significant suffering to the general public and workers from various factories in the area.
In spite of passing over 24 hours, no resolution or assurance from authorities has been made to meet their demands.
Top officials could not be reached to get comments in spite of several attempts.
AI/MB
