RMG workers block highways near Dhaka over arrears

Hundreds of workers of Opex and Sinha Group blockaded the Dhaka-Chattogram and Dhaka-Sylhet highways near the Kanchpur bridge on Thursday demanding arrears and allowances.

Meanwhile, in a separate demonstration the same day, the workers of Stylecraft Ltd blocked the Dhaka-Joydebpur highway in Lakshmipur area of Gazipur with the same demands, which lasted for around half an hour.

The protesting workers of Opex and Sinha Group had imposed the blockade around 10am, causing a long tailback stretching nearly 10 kilometres.

The gridlock also disrupted emergency services such as ambulances and trucks carrying essential goods, highway police told The Business Standard, adding that the tailback eased after the workers removed their blockade around 4pm.

Around 2,000 workers from Opex and Sinha Group did not get their salary for the last two months. The company had given multiple assurances to the workers but they did not pay the workers' dues as yet. So, workers took to the streets with their demand, sources have said.

Opex and the Sinha Group used to be one of the largest apparel exporters in Bangladesh, but they have fallen into some hard times in recent years. Titas Gas recently disconnected supply to one of the company's units, according to insiders.

Responding to a query, Sommilito Garment Sramik Federation President Nazma Akhter said, "The factory owners are responsible for this crisis. Instead of paying our salary, they are laying off workers. They are suffering losses, but is it the workers' fault?

"The government must step in to resolve the situation. We do not want to block roads, cause inconvenience for people and see workers get beaten."

Stylecraft workers' protest

Workers of the Stylecraft factory had blockaded the Dhaka-Joydebpur regional highway for about half an hour, claiming that the factory frequently failed to pay salaries to its nearly 4,000 employees on multiple occasions in the last couple of hours.

After holding a movement on the issue last May, the company gave multiple promises to pay their workers. However, the workers are yet to get their dues, said insiders.

Under the circumstances, the company's employees stopped working and took to the streets on Thursday, which caused traffic jams on both sides of the Dhaka-Joydebpur highway. 

Gazipur Metropolitan Police's Deputy Commissioner Zakir Hasan said the law enforcers brought the situation under control after talking to the owner of Stylecraft.

Commenting on the matter, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association's (BGMEA) Senior Vice-President SM Mannan Kochi said, "Many factory owners are suffering from financial crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Some foreign buyers have gone bankrupt, while others are seeking discounts. As a result, workers' salaries have become irregular. But, discussions are on and the problem will be resolved soon."