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Dhaka: Garment workers blocked the Dhaka-Narayanganj Link Road on Monday to press for a minimum monthly wage of Tk30,000 and other demands, disrupting traffic and causing severe inconvenience to commuters.
Workers from Metro Garments, Liberty and several other factories began the demonstration around noon on November 2, blocking the road in the Shibu Market area.
The protesters took positions on the road and set fires as part of their demonstration. Vehicles remained stranded on both sides of the road, leaving many commuters unable to reach their destinations. Some passengers got off buses and other vehicles and continued their journeys on foot, while others tried to find alternative routes.
A large number of police personnel were deployed in the Shibu Market area to maintain order and bring the situation under control.
The workers put forward six demands, including the announcement of a minimum monthly wage of Tk30,000, the introduction of a rationing system in all garment factories and the implementation of trade union rights.
Their other demands include forming a commission to investigate the killings of garment workers, including Amjad Hossain Kamal, stopping arbitrary dismissals of workers and fully implementing labour laws at all levels.
Inspector (Intelligence) Anwarul Haque of Industrial Police-4, based in Adamjee, said workers had blocked the road in the Shibu Market area to press for higher wages and other demands.
Police were present at the spot and managed to persuade the protesters to leave the road, he added.