Garment workers demonstrate in Mirpur blocking traffic for two hours

Protests by workers of a Mirpur-based apparel factory in Dhaka halted movement in the area for about two hours on Friday.

The workers of Trust Trouser Ltd demonstrated for backpay.

They gathered in front of the Mirpur 12 bus stand around 10am and continued protests until 12:30pm.

The agitated workers reportedly vandalised some vehicles in the area.

“The factory is supposed to shift from its current location,” Pallabi police Inspector Moinul Kabir said. “The workers took to the streets when they found the factory closed after coming to work.”

Police said the workers lifted the blockade after they mediated between them and the factory management over backpays. Photo: tanvir ahammed

Police said the workers lifted the blockade after they mediated between them and the factory management over backpays. Photo: tanvir ahammed

He could not confirm if the workers were unpaid.

The factory was supposed to shift to Mohammadpur, Zakir Hossain, assistant police commissioner of Mirpur zone, told bdnews24.com. “Most of these workers live in Mirpur. So they urged the authorities to clear their wages and dues before shifting the factory.”

Police called the protestors and the factory owners inside the police station and tried clearing their differences, he said. “The workers cleared the road after the owners arrived.”