Hundreds of garment workers of Nasa Mainland withdrew their road blockade in Tejgaon on Sunday after Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury intervened and assured them of a resolution.
Approximately 700-800 workers blocked the Tejgaon Link Road area between Mohakhali and Nabisco in the capital, demanding overdue wages.
On special directive from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the labour minister and State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Haque Nur rushed to the scene and held lengthy discussions with both the management and worker representatives.
Addressing the workers, the labour minister said, “I have come to you today on the directive of the Honourable Prime Minister.”
He announced a special meeting for Monday at 11am at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, to be attended by worker representatives, Nasa Mainland management, the BGMEA president, and other concerned parties.
The minister noted that there are legal complexities and pending cases regarding the matter, but assured that a resolution would be reached in such a way that workers are not harmed while management can also continue operations.
State Minister Nurul Haque urged the workers to remain calm, saying that coordinated efforts had prevented blockades during Eid-ul-Fitr this year.
“Please clear the road to alleviate public suffering. We want to cooperate with you, and we seek cooperation from your side as well,” he said.
During the discussions, Nasa Mainland authorities informed that their bank accounts and immovable assets are currently seized, making factory operations difficult. However, they are able to pay March wages. The establishment sought special government assistance for paying workers’ accrued leave pay.
Following the minister’s assurances and the decision to hold tomorrow’s meeting, the workers suspended their protest and cleared the road. Senior officials from the labour ministry and law enforcement agencies were present.
