Workers of a garment factory blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway at Hemayetpur in Savar for two hours on Monday, demanding unpaid salaries and Eid bonuses, suspending vehicular movement.
The protest, organised by workers of Bashundhara Garments in Tetuljhara union’s Nazimnagar area, began at around 9:00am, confirmed Jewel Mia, officer-in-charge of Savar Police Station, reports UNB.
The blockade caused severe traffic congestion on both sides of the highway, significantly disrupting commuters.
Upon receiving information, police rushed to the spot and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse them. They also charged batons to disperse the workers.
Later, the traffic movement started to normalise at around 11am.
Besides, the workers of Chain Apparel Garment factory blocked the road at Jirabo in the Bishmile area in the morning demanding payment of their dues, disrupting vehicular movement there for three hours.
The workers withdrew after getting assurance from the authorities of getting their due wages.