RMG workers block Chandra-Nabinagar highway again over unpaid wages

The protest began at 9 AM on Monday, causing severe disruption to traffic on the busy route.  

The workers, primarily from the garment factories within the industrial park, have been agitating for their unpaid salaries for October. Despite previous assurances from the management, many employees are yet to receive their payments, leading to the renewed protests.  

The industrial park, located in Sarabo area under Kashimpur Police Station, employs approximately 40,000 workers. On November 14, the workers initiated a strike over delayed payments which escalated into a week-long highway blockade. Authorities promised to settle wages by Sunday, prompting the workers to withdraw their agitation last Thursday. 
However, by Sunday evening, several workers reported not receiving payment notifications, sparking renewed frustration and protests.  

The blockade has paralyzed vehicular movement on the Chandra-Nabinagar highway. Commuters are resorting to battery-powered rickshaws and auto-rickshaws for short distances. Long-haul vehicles bound for northern regions are being rerouted through alternative roads, including the Dhaka-Tangail highway and regional routes via Dhamrai.  

Kashimpur Police Station officer-in-charge, Rafiqul Islam, acknowledged the ongoing dispute, saying, "Some workers have received their salaries but many others are still unpaid. This has resulted in the roadblock." Efforts are underway to negotiate with the workers and restore normalcy.  

The workers are demanding full payment of their outstanding salaries and a transparent timeline for future payments. They have vowed to continue their protests until their demands are met.