Garment workers resumed protests in Gazipur on Sunday, demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk30,000. The demonstrators blocked the Dhaka-Tangail highway and set fire to a police box and vehicles.

Five platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel have been deployed to help maintain law and order in the industrial areas.

Workers began gathering on the highway at approximately 9:30 a.m. and blocked traffic shortly afterward. Incidents of vandalism and arson were reported across several areas, including Kaliakair, Konabari, and Chandra.

A police box beneath the Konabari flyover and a pickup van in front of the Ansar Academy were set on fire. Vandalism was also reported at Jamuna Bank and the gates of several factories in the Palli Bidyut area of Kaliakair, as well as at a police box in the Mouchak cutting area.

The protests initially began in Mouchak, Safipur and Chandra Palli Bidyut before spreading to Ratanpur, Konabari, Kashimpur and other nearby industrial areas. Around 30 factories in the affected areas reportedly declared holidays amid the unrest.

As thousands of workers took to the highway, traffic came to a standstill, leaving long-distance bus passengers and other commuters stranded.

Workers carrying sticks gathered at several points, including Safipur Bazar, Chandra Palli Bidyut, Mouchak and Telichala, chanting slogans over their wage demands. Clashes between police and workers were reported at different locations throughout the morning, disrupting activity in Konabari, Safipur, Mouchak and Palli Bidyut.

Workers from Korni Knit Composite, Knit Asia, and several nearby factories in Ratanpur, Kaliakair, did not join work and instead gathered on the highway near Safipur Bazar. Some workers reportedly entered their factories in the morning to mark their attendance before leaving to join the demonstrations.

Several factories in the surrounding areas announced closures as the protests continued.

Gazipur Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (Traffic) Ashraful stated that workers clashed with police in Konabari before setting fire to a traffic police box.

He stated that the protesters initially smashed the windows of the box prior to setting it on fire. The facility was utilized by police personnel as a resting place while on duty.

He stated that there were no valuable items inside, and added that a table and chairs were damaged in the fire.

Between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm, a pickup van and a warehouse storing garment waste were set on fire in the Chandra Palli Bidyut area of Kaliakair.

At approximately 11:30 a.m., a pickup van was set on fire. The vehicle was completely gutted after firefighters were unable to reach the scene due to ongoing protests.

Shortly afterwards, a warehouse belonging to Tropical Garments was set on fire in the same area.

Kaliakair Fire Service Station Officer Tarikul Islam stated that they received information regarding a fire at the factory warehouse, but firefighters were unable to reach the site because protesters obstructed their access.

Gazipur Industrial Police Superintendent Amzad Hossain stated that five platoons of BGB personnel were deployed initially to assist industrial police and preserve law and order.

The troops have been deployed to the Chandra, Palli Bidyut, Safipur, Konabari, Mouchak, Naojor, and Bhogra bypass areas, according to an official, who added that the number of platoons could be increased if necessary.

Deputy Commissioner Nurul Karim Bhuiyan stated that five platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) would remain deployed for a week. He added that authorities had taken necessary measures to restore normalcy despite the highway blockade and had dispatched law enforcement personnel to the affected areas.

Police, workers, and local residents reported that wage-related unrest had persisted for approximately two weeks across several industrial areas, including Konabari, Mouchak, and Safipur.

The government has decided to establish a new wage board to revise workers' wages, but protests have continued despite the move.

Workers report that rising commodity prices have made supporting their families on current wages increasingly difficult. Consequently, they are demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk30,000.

On Saturday, workers blocked the Dhaka-Tangail highway from noon until night near Chandra Palli Bidyut and Gate No-3 of the Ansar Academy in Kaliakair.

Clashes broke out between workers and police, prompting police to fire tear gas and sound grenades to disperse the protesters.

According to industrial police, at least 18 to 20 factories declared holidays because of Saturday's blockade.

Workers eventually cleared the road at night, but resumed their blockade on Sunday morning.

Why it matters

The deployment of border guards and ongoing industrial unrest in Gazipur highlight critical security and labor challenges facing Bangladesh's key garment sector.