Workers from a garment factory in the Zirani region of Gazipur held a protest on Sunday, calling for higher wages. As a result, 15 nearby factories announced a holiday.
The protest began when employees of Irish Fashion Limited blocked the Chandra-Nabinagar road early in the morning, calling for higher salaries. The demonstration quickly gained momentum as workers from neighboring factories joined in, prompting authorities to take action.
Abu Taleb, assistant superintendent of industrial police-2 in Gazipur, reported that additional police forces were deployed to maintain order in the area. He confirmed that vehicular movement resumed after the workers dispersed from the highway around noon.
While a government regulation mandates a 9 per cent salary increase for workers who have completed one year of service, many of the protesting workers have been employed for less than a year. Ashraful Islam, a worker at Irish Fashion, voiced the concerns of his fellow employees, stating, “Those who were appointed earlier are workers, and we, who have been working for 7-8 months, are also workers. If their salaries increase, ours should also increase.”
The situation underscores ongoing tensions within the ready-made garment sector, as workers continue to advocate for fair wages and better working conditions.
