Workers block Dhaka-Tangail highway burning debris

Garment workers demanding higher wages and benefits brought traffic to a standstill on the Dhaka-Tangail highway on Saturday after blocking the road and setting fire to debris in Gazipur's Kaliakair upazila.

The blockade began around 2:30PM in the Pollibidyut area, where workers from several factories took to the highway and staged demonstrations.

As a result, vehicular movement came to a complete halt on both sides of the highway, disrupting traffic along a stretch of nearly seven kilometres and causing severe hardship for commuters.

According to eyewitnesses, protesters placed sacks filled with soil, pieces of wood and bamboo on the road before setting them on fire, completely obstructing traffic.

The workers alleged that they had been demanding higher wages and benefits for a long time, but factory authorities had yet to announce any decision.

Frustrated by the lack of progress, they initially staged work stoppages before taking to the highway to press home their demands.

Similar highway blockades have taken place previously over the same demands.

Earlier on Saturday morning, Humayun Kabir Khan, general secretary of the Road Transport and Workers Federation, held a meeting aimed at raising awareness among workers and urging them to avoid vandalism and further unrest following the previous day's disturbances.

However, after the meeting, agitated workers took positions on the highway and continued their protest.


"Workers have occupied the highway. Police are there to pacify them. Discussions are underway with factory owners and workers' representatives to remove the protesters from the road," he said.