Workers protest on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway demanding unpaid wages

Workers of Roar Fashion Limited, a garment factory located in Bhaluka, Mymensingh, blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway on Monday afternoon demanding the payment of their overdue wages and allowances. Due to this blockade lasting about two hours, long traffic congestion was created on both sides of the highway and the general public suffered. The workers gathered in front of the Kathali Palli Bidyut area of the factory since morning and started protesting. Around 11:45 am, they blocked the highway.

Later, following assurances from the local administration, they lifted the blockade at around 1:45 pm. Md. Al Mamun Sikder, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Industrial Police Mymensingh region, said, "Workers blocked the highway demanding overdue wages at Roar Fashion Limited. With the intervention of the administration, the situation is now under control and traffic movement is normal." This is not a new incident. Earlier on March 24, workers of this factory staged a protest by blockading the BGMEA building in the capital's Uttara area.

They locked the gate of the building and prevented BGMEA officials from entering, which disrupted the normal activities of the institution. It is known that facing an economic crisis, Roar Fashion Limited declared a lay-off on January 24 of this year. Since then, a tug-of-war has been going on regarding the payment of workers' wages and lay-off compensation. According to the workers, although about 70 lakh taka of arrears for the months of November and December was paid, January's wages and compensation are still pending. A total of 1,376 workers were employed in this factory.

Police said that Managing Director Mamunul Islam is currently in hiding.