RMG factory workers demonstrate in Savar
Failing to find transport to reach their workplace, workers of several garment factories blocked Dhaka-Aricha highway's Radio colony and Savar Bazar bus-stand areas demonstrated yesterday morning.
People from different professions also joined in, expressing solidarity with the workers. Due to the blockade, traffic movement remained suspended for about an hour from 8am.
According to police and locals, the workers of different garment factories at Savar Bazar bus-stand and Ulail areas were angry, as they could not avail transportation on the first day of restrictions imposed by government.
On information, personnel of Savar Model Police Station and Savar Highway Police Station rushed to the spots and made protesters leave around 9am after talking to them.
Workers said factory authorities did not provide transport, and drivers of rickshaws and other vehicles were demanding three times the usual fare.
The workers demanded either resuming public transport service or factory authorities arranging vehicles for them.
The workers further said that they have to suffer due to sudden government instructions. The garment factories should be declared closed during the lockdown.
A senior official of Dhaka Industrial Police told The Daily Star that factory authorities only arrange transport for workers who are from faraway places, and workers who live nearby reach the factory using public transport or by other means.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association's instructions are the same till now, the official added.
Contacted, Farhad Hossen, a security in-charge of AL-Muslim Group and a spokesperson, told this newspaper that most workers in their factory reach the workplace on foot. Some workers who live at Savar's Sayabithi area use public transport.
He also said police had talked to workers, and workers said they would put banners on vehicles to go to and come from the factory till public transport resumes.
Contacted, Officer-in-Charge Kazi Mainul Isla of Savar Model Police Station said factory authorities would arrange transport for workers who had blocked the road.
Comments