Workers of a ready-made garment factory have been protesting for the past 48 hours by blocking the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway demanding three months' arrears. However, despite repeated talks with the workers by members of the joint law enforcement forces, the workers have rejected their pleas. This has brought the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway to a standstill. Industrialization has also been severely affected.
On Monday (November 11), severe public suffering was seen on the highway around Bhogra Bypass and Malek Bari areas of Gazipur metropolis. Due to the movement, there is a total of 40 kilometers of traffic jam on the Dhaka-Mymensingh and Dhaka-Tangail highways. However, the traffic police said that since the main parts of the exit and entry to Dhaka are closed, transporters have been instructed to use alternative routes.
Earlier, workers of the TNZ Apparels Limited factory in Maleker Bari area of Gazipur metropolis started the movement at 9:30 am last Saturday (November 9). At one stage, they blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway around 11 am. Since then, severe traffic jams have been created on this road, causing extreme public suffering. Transport drivers, passengers, people of different professions and school and college students plying on this road have suffered.
Meanwhile, authorities have declared holidays in at least 30 factories in different areas of Gazipur metropolis due to such unrest on the roads due to the workers' movement.
Even after talking to the agitating workers, law enforcement agencies have not been able to resolve the issue yet.
Gazipur Metropolitan Police Deputy Police Commissioner (Traffic) Ibrahim Khan told Barta24.com that the workers' movement is ongoing. They are still in a strong position. Law enforcement agencies are talking to them. Traffic on this road has been closed for the past two days. However, vehicles are plying on alternative roads.