RMG workers block Gazipur highway over unpaid wages

Workers from five factories under TNZ Group blocked a Gazipur highway on Saturday, demanding overdue salaries and resumption of factory operations.

The blockade caused severe traffic congestion, inconveniencing passengers and drivers.

The protest, which began around 9am, involved workers from TNZ Apparels Limited, Basic Clothing Limited, Apparels Plus Eco, Basic Knitwear Limited, and Apparel Art Limited.

Gazipur Industrial Police Inspector Biojid Mia said around 1,200 workers gathered on the highway. Workers were initially due to be paid on October 23, but the employer missed the deadline.

A subsequent meeting on October 24, attended by representatives from the army, employers, and workers, rescheduled September wages to be paid on November 3 and October wages on November 20.

However, the payments were still not made, prompting the workers to protest.

TNZ Group on Thursday issued an urgent notice, committing to pay outstanding wages for September and October by Thursday. The notice also encouraged all employees to return to production work by Saturday.

A further statement from the TNZ Group chairman on Saturday expressed regret over the delayed payment of September wages, citing "unavoidable circumstances."

It promised that both September and October wages would be settled next month.

The chairman also mentioned that factory operations could not resume as scheduled due to a lack of electricity.

Efforts were underway to restore the connection to restart production.

One factory worker explained: "The factory has been closed without paying our salary. That's why we started the protest. We’ll clear the highway once our demands are met."

Gazipur Metropolitan police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Rahedul Islam confirmed the ongoing blockade and stated that discussions with the workers were in progress.