Workers of the Lenny Fashions and Lenny Apparels factories, which were closed four years ago, are protesting by blocking the highway in Ashulia, Savar. The workers are observing this program to demand their arrears. The protest by blocking the highway has caused severe traffic congestion. Many are using alternative routes.
On Tuesday (November 26), the workers observed this sit-in program by blocking the Nabinagar-Chandra highway in the Dhaka EPZ area of Ashulia from 7:30 am. Traffic on both sides of the road has been stopped due to the workers' blockade, causing severe traffic congestion.
Several protesting workers said that Lenny Fashion and Lenny Apparels factories were closed four years ago due to unpaid salaries of the workers. After that, the BEPZA authorities sold one of the two factories. Although the money from the factory sale was deposited in the bank, the workers' arrears have not been paid yet.
They said that on Tuesday (November 26) at around 7:30 am, the workers of these two factories gathered in front of the DEPZ demanding their arrears. Later, they blocked the Nabinagar-Chandra highway and started the protest.
The agitating workers said, 'BEPZA has been harassing us for the last 4 years. They say they will give us money. On September 9, they called and said, "Don't join the movement, the money will be given on November 30." Yesterday, they said again that they will give us the money later. Why don't you give us a specific date? If you don't give us a date, we will not leave the road.'
Another worker, Md. Azad said, 'Even though one of our factories was sold, we are not being paid our arrears. Some brokers of the previous fascist government are still there and they are harassing us. We have to remove all these officials who are demanding the removal of the Chief Adviser and Labor Adviser. We will remain on the road until BEPZA officials come here and announce the payment by November 30.'
Meanwhile, the workers' blockade of the highway has caused traffic jams on both sides of the highway. Many transport drivers are using alternative routes after learning about the blockade.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Savar Highway Police Station Saugatul Alam said, 'The workers have blocked the highway in front of DEPZ, causing traffic jams. Road users are using alternative routes to avoid the traffic jam.'
Superintendent of Police (SP) of Ashulia Industrial Zone Police-1 Mohammad Sarwar Alam said, 'The workers of Lenny Fashions and Lenny Apparels factories are blocking the road. Earlier, when they blocked the road with the same demand, we persuaded them to leave the road. Today too, efforts are being made to persuade them to leave.'
In this regard, Bangladesh Export Processing Zone (BEPZA) Public Relations Officer Anwar Parvez said that the BEPZA authorities are working to pay the dues of the workers of Lenny Fashions and Lenny Apparels, which were closed during the Corona period. The process of selling the factory through auction is underway. Once the sale process is completed, the dues of the workers will be paid as soon as possible.