RMG workers block roads at Mohakhali

Garment workers of Nasa Group staged a demonstration blocking roads at the capital's Mohakhali for over six hours since Monday morning following a rumour that the factory authorities had been trying to shut their industries down without paying workers.

The road blockade resulted in severe traffic congestion on different city roads and Dhaka-Tangail highway causing severe sufferings to the commuters.

The roads, however, were freed for traffic movement around 4:30pm.

The rumour of shutting the factories sprayed among the workers after the factory authorities had started shifting their various materials from their factories Sunday night after some cracks developed in one of the building were noticed.

Witnesses said around 2,000 workers took to the streets around 8:30am instead of joining their workplace. They also vandalised several vehicles in the area while demanding their arrears.

Shamsul Alam, one of the agitators, said the authorities had started shifting materials without informing the workers.

"We also have information that the authorities had been trying to shut the factory without paying our salaries and arrears," he said.

At one stage of the agitation, a 40-member representative of the workers, some representatives of the BGMEA and NASA Group and Police held a one-hour tri-party meeting at an office of the NASA Group.

"At the meeting, the Nasa authorities assured the workers that if the authorities shut down the factories, they will clear all the payment within three to four days," said Biplab Kumar Sarkar, deputy commissioner of Tejgaon Division.