Garment workers in Gazipur blockaded Dhaka-Tangail highway demanding a wage increase and the fulfilment of various other demands, bringing vehicular movement to a standstill.
The blockade was staged on Tuesday morning in Naojor area, creating traffic jams and causing public suffering. Law enforcement forces are attempting to reason with the workers to persuade them to move off the road.
Earlier in the morning, workers at the Divine and Inter Stop factories in Chandra, Gazipur reported for work and subsequently attempted to block the road, but police dispersed them.
Shortly before 8am, another group of workers attempted to set up a blockade on Dhaka-Tangail highway in Mouchak area, but security personnel promptly cleared them.
To prevent untoward incidents and maintain law and order, security measures in Gazipur have been significantly intensified.
The deployment of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) forces was increased from 10 platoons to 11 platoons, whilst the number of executive magistrates was raised from 21 to 25.
Meanwhile, workers have also blockaded roads across various areas in Ashulia, prompting factory authorities to declare most units closed owing to security concerns.
For the past few days, workers from multiple factories in Gazipur have been staging demonstrations and blockading both Dhaka-Tangail and Dhaka-Mymensingh highways over wage hike demands.
The workers have clashed with law enforcement personnel in several phases during these protests, resulting in the detention of a few individuals. In response to the ongoing unrest, authorities have announced holidays across several factories.
