RMG workers’ blockade withdrawn

The workers of a readymade garment factory, who have been staging demonstration in Dhaka’s Mirpur-1 since the morning, withdrew their blockade this afternoon.

The workers took the decision around 3:30 pm after the owner of Zaara Jeans and Knitwear Ltd assured them of paying their unpaid wages, Mizanur Rahman, a sewing operator of the factory, told The Daily Star.  

Earlier, around 1000 workers of the factory took to the street since 9:00am demanding their unpaid wages and allowance, said Dadon Fakir, officer-in-charge (OC) of Mirpur Model Police Station.

Traffic movement in the area remained halted since morning due to the demonstration, causing immense sufferings to the commuters during the rush hours.

No vehicles were plying on the two roads -- Mirpur-1 to Bangladesh National Zoo Road and Mirpur-1 to Mirpur-10 -- following the blockade.

Besides, the demonstration created long tailbacks nearby roads of Mirpur, reports our staff correspondent from the spot.

The garment workers said the authorities of Zaara Jeans and Knitwear Ltd locked the factory's main gate on September 11 without paying their salary and overtime bill for the months of July and August.

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) assured them to fulfill their demand, they said.

The workers started demonstration since this morning as they did not get the arrears till today, the agitating workers added.