Bangladesh garment workers stage protests seeking unpaid dues

In the Belashahar area of Chandina upazila in Cumilla, a group of garment workers took to the streets, blocking the Dhaka–Chittagong Highway for approximately four hours on Tuesday. Reports suggest that their protest was centered around securing payment for “three months’ arrears and allowances.”

The employees, affiliated with the Denim Processing Plant, initiated the highway blockade at 9:00 am, causing a significant traffic jam spanning several kilometers. Ahmed Sanjur Morshed, the officer-in-charge of Chandina Police Station, mentioned that the workers dispersed from the highway after police assurances that their demands would be addressed by contacting the relevant authorities.

Zahangir Alam, the chief executive officer of Denim Processing Plant, refuted claims of three months’ overdue payments. He stated that confusion arose over the new wage structure, and the mid-level management failed to address the issue adequately. According to Zahangir Alam, local individuals also played a role in inciting unrest among the workers. The situation reportedly calmed down after his arrival at the scene, and the workers returned to the factory units.