Tension gripped the Alankar area of Chattogram on Tuesday morning after workers of a garment factory staged a road blockade, protesting the sudden closure of their workplace and non-payment of wages just days before Eid-ul-Fitr.
The incident occurred around 11am at a factory named Joy Fashion, where hundreds of workers gathered after discovering the premises locked without any prior notice.
According to eyewitnesses and law enforcement officials, workers arrived at the factory as usual in the morning, only to find the main gate shut. No owner or senior management personnel were present on site. The unexpected closure sparked anger among the workers, particularly as they had been expecting their outstanding salaries to be cleared ahead of Eid.
As frustration mounted, the workers took to the busy road in front of the factory, staging a protest that quickly escalated into a blockade. Vehicular movement on the key route came to a standstill, resulting in severe traffic congestion and causing significant inconvenience to commuters and transporters of goods.
Protesters said they had not received wages for the past two months. “Eid is approaching, but we have not been paid. Today, we came to work and found everything locked. The owner has disappeared. How will we support our families?” one worker lamented.
Officials from the Industrial Police confirmed that a total of 116 workers were employed at the factory. Speaking to TIMES of Bangladesh, Superintendent of Police Abdullah Al-Mahmud said the factory had a history of irregularities in salary payments.
“The workers were scheduled to receive their dues on 17 March. However, just before Eid, the owner, Jamal Hossain, locked the factory and fled. His family members have also reportedly left,” he said.
He added that the Industrial Police intervened promptly to bring the situation under control.
“We have taken responsibility for the matter. Through discussions with the workers and partial arrangements for salary payments, the situation been stabilised,” he said.
