Garment workers block road in Chattogram over unpaid wages

Protests erupt as JMS Garments workers demand unpaid salaries after two-month closure

Garment workers from a closed factory in Chattogram Export Processing Zone (EPZ) have blocked a road to demand unpaid wages.

More than 500 workers of JMS Garments Limited protested at the EPZ intersection from 10:30am on Saturday, disrupting traffic for an hour.

Chattogram EPZ Executive Director Md Abdus Sobhan told bdnews24.com that the garments had remained shut for two months.

“The owners kept the factory open for a few days in February before closing it down. In March, they officially declared a lay-off,” he added.

Following the shutdown, workers were assured that their salaries for February and March, along with other dues, would be paid on Thursday.

The authorities, however, failed to make the payments, Sobhan said.

"We spoke with the factory owners and they have assured us that the outstanding wages will be paid on Mar 25. After being informed of this, the workers left the road," said the EPZ executive director.

EPZ Police Station chief Md Akhtaruzzaman says traffic has returned to normal after the workers withdrew their blockade following the owners' assurance.