Readymade Garment (RMG) workers continued to block the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway for over 30 hours yesterday, demanding payment of unpaid wages, creating a tailback of over 20 kilometres.

The endless traffic jam will drag on as the protesting workers at TNZ Apparels Limited have announced that they will continue their blockade until the arrears are paid, our correspondent on the ground reports.

The prolonged road block that started yesterday morning (November 9) has caused over 20 kilometers of traffic congestion on both sides of the highway since the filing of this report today (November 10).

Meanwhile, authorities of at least 30 RMG factories in Gazipur Industrial District have announced a holiday amid the ongoing situation, Gazipur Industrial Police Commissioner Sarwar Alam told The Business Standard.

“Don’t trust the owners”

The protesting workers are wary of lifting the blockade, fearing that the landlords will not fulfill their promise to pay dues.

“Members of the army, police and administration had earlier held discussions with the factory owners. At that time, the owner assured us that we will pay our salary on November 7th. We have repeatedly extended the payment deadline but they have not paid our arrears,” a protester blocking the highway in Maleker Bari area told The Business Standard on condition of anonymity.

Superintendent of Police Sarwar Alam also expressed his lack of confidence in the factory owners.

“In this situation, how can we say to (the protesters): withdraw the movement, we will make an arrangement for you! Like the workers, we also do not trust the owners,” he told TBS.

“We tried to convince them several times, to come to our office, sit and talk. But they won’t leave the highway,” he added.

The police officer said that efforts are being made to control the situation.

Meanwhile, allegations surfaced that “foreigners” had joined the protest with RMG workers.

“We are trying again. A little while ago, members of the army came. We all talked to the protesters. I hope it will be resolved. Our senior officials, along with representatives of the BGMEA and the labor department, are working on it,” he said . Sarwar.

Speaking about the delay in payment, he said: “The factory has two owners. One of them is currently abroad. Another is with the ministry. He has some money in an export-related fund. He hopes to pay the workers. wages with that money”.