Many factories shut down following unrestRMG workers halts traffic on Dhaka-Tangail Highway

Vehicular movement on the Dhaka-Tangail Highway remained suspended for one hour on Thursday following a clash between police and ready-made garment (RMG) workers as the latter demonstrated at Noujor in Gazipur demanding a basic wage hike.

Witnesses said workers of several garment factories, including Libas Knitwear and Hasan Tanvir Fashion at Chandona intersection, took to the streets in the morning, halting traffic movement.

At one stage, they tried to put up a barricade on the highway by placing logs.

Later, police along with Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) personnel went to the spot and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse them. A chase and counter-chase took place during the demonstrations.

Sarwar Alam, superintendent of Gazipur Industrial Police-2, said the situation is now under control.

Meanwhile, several garment factories shut down on Thursday following the unrest and the death of a female garment worker on Wednesday.

Apparel workers have been demonstrating since 23 October, demanding increasing their basic wage to Tk23,000. The government on Tuesday fixed Tk12,500 as the minimum wage for entry-level RMG workers.