Garment workers now block Dhaka–Narayanganj Link Road over five-point demand

Garment workers have blocked the Dhaka–Narayanganj Link Road, pressing five demands, including a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000.

At 12.30pm on Monday, workers from Metro Garments, Liberty and several other factories took to the streets and began demonstrating. Their blockade has brought traffic on the Link Road to a standstill, causing considerable disruption for commuters.

A visit to the scene found workers staging protests on the road in the Shibu Market area of the Link Road. They were also seen setting fires on the road during the demonstration. Vehicles were stranded on both sides, while many passengers got off buses and other vehicles and continued their journeys on foot. Some were trying to reach their destinations by taking alternative routes.

A large number of police personnel have been deployed in the Shibu Market area to bring the situation under control.

The workers’ five demands include a declaration of Tk 30,000 as the minimum monthly wage, the introduction of a rationing system in all garment factories, and the implementation of trade union rights.

They have also demanded the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the killings of worker Amzad Hossain Kamal and all other workers, an end to arbitrary dismissals, and the full implementation of labour laws at all levels.

Anwarul Haque, inspector (intelligence) of Industrial Police-4 based in Adamjee, said workers had blocked the road in the Shibu Market area over demands including higher wages. Police were at the scene and were trying to persuade the protesters to leave the road.

The blockade and demonstrations were still under way in the Shibu Market area when this report was filed on Monday afternoon.