Commuters suffer on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway amid labor unrest

Ongoing readymade garment worker protests over minimum wage hikes triggered a severe shortage of public transport along the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway on Wednesday (November 4), leaving office-goers and regular commuters stranded for hours.

The disruption was particularly acute on the Dhaka-bound lanes from Mymensingh, where passenger buses operated in drastically reduced numbers, creating widespread panic and delays among commuters struggling to reach their destinations on time.

A spot check on Wednesday morning along major intersections—including Gazipura, College Gate, Cherag Ali, Mill Gate, Station Road, Tongi, Abdullahpur, House Building, BNS, and Jasimuddin Road—revealed a stark reduction in Dhaka-bound buses, alongside sluggish movement on lanes heading toward Gazipur and Mymensingh.

The few buses operating along the highway were heavily overcrowded, sparking chaotic scenes as passengers scrambled to board at every stop. Many were forced to abandon efforts to board due to extreme crowding inside vehicles.

Mintu Miah, an office-goer waiting at the College Gate intersection since 8:30 AM, described waiting indefinitely under growing distress, noting that the few arriving buses were already packed to capacity. Other commuters reported taking hazardous risks by squeezing onto overcrowded steps and entryways out of desperation.

Reports from local sources confirmed that demonstrating workers occupied key sections of the highway, including Board Bazar and Gazipur Bypass, disrupting vehicular movement. Law enforcement personnel were deployed across vulnerable points to maintain order and clear blockades.

Readymade garment workers across Gazipur and adjacent industrial belts have been staging demonstrations since October 31, demanding a raise in the minimum monthly wage from 12,500 BDT to 30,000 BDT to cope with the rising cost of living.

-EM