Photo: Collected
Workers in Gazipur's Konabari area staged protests and blocked the Dhaka-Tangail highway this morning (23 December), demanding the reopening of two closed garment factories, MM Knitwear Limited and Mamun Knitwear Limited.
The protest began at around 9:30 AM and continued as of 12:50 PM, causing severe traffic congestion on both sides of the highway. Superintendent of Industrial Police Md. Mizanur Rahman confirmed that discussions between factory authorities, workers, and law enforcement are ongoing to reach a peaceful resolution.
The conflict originated on 3 November when workers allegedly assaulted a member of the industrial police. On 17 December, the industrial police filed a case naming five individuals and accusing 50–60 unidentified workers. In protest, workers stopped working and demanded the withdrawal of the case.
On 18 December, the factory authorities invoked Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labor Act 2006 to shut down the factories indefinitely. Under this section any employer may, in the event of an illegal strike in any section or department of any establishment, close down either wholly or partly such section or establishment.
On 22 December, workers gathered at the factory gates, demanding the reopening of the factories. They temporarily withdrew their protest after authorities agreed to hold discussions later that day. During the meeting, the factory management proposed reopening the factories under specific conditions, but the workers rejected the terms and resumed their demonstrations today.
The protesting workers are demanding the unconditional reopening of the factories and the withdrawal of the case filed against them. The blockade has severely disrupted traffic on the Dhaka-Tangail highway, leaving commuters and drivers stranded for hours.
"I have been stuck here for almost two hours," said Abul Kashem, a passenger caught in the jam. "All the other passengers have left, and my entire day will be wasted as I won't be able to complete any work."
Shafiqul, a pick-up van driver transporting perishable goods, expressed similar frustration. "I've been stuck for over two and a half hours. If I don't deliver these raw materials on time, they will spoil," he said.
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