Workers of JMI Industrial Park on Wednesday blocked the Dhaka-Chittagong highway at Gazaria in Munshiganj for about three and a half hours demanding higher and regular wages.
The workers blocked the highway from 8:00am till about 11:30am to press home their 21-point demand.
One of the protesting workers, Lipi Akter, said that they were protesting at poor working conditions and inadequate wages in the factory.
鈥楾here is discrimination against workers in terms of promotion and wages,鈥� said Lipi.
Another worker, Swapan Mia, said, 鈥楾he way the company treats us is inhumane. They do not follow any government rules.鈥�
鈥榃orkers are forced to do overtime. If we fall ill, we are not allowed to go to the hospital. We are left with no choice but to take to the streets with our 21 demands,鈥� said Swapan.
Gazaria police station officer-in-charge Mahbubur Rahman said that they rushed to the spot in the morning and tried to calm the protesters.
鈥業 assured the workers that I would speak to the owners and try to meet their legitimate demands if necessary, but they did not listen to me,鈥� said the OC.
The protesting workers left the highway at about 11:30am as the company authorities assured them of meeting their demands.
During the protest, traffic came to a halt on both sides of the highway during the time, causing widespread disruption and a 10-kilometre tailback.