Workers Block Highway in Gazipur Demanding Factory Reopening

PNN News Desk | Dhaka

Workers of AMC Knit Composite Limited blocked the Dhaka–Mymensingh Highway in protest against the factory’s layoff announcement and demanding its immediate reopening. The protest took place in the Member Bari area of Gazipur Sadar Upazila. The blockade disrupted traffic on the Mymensingh-bound lane for approximately 20 minutes on Monday morning (October 12). Traffic returned to normal after police assurances prompted the workers to leave the road.

According to eyewitnesses and relevant sources, workers began gathering in front of the factory around 8:00 am on Monday. At approximately 10:20 am, they took positions on the Mymensingh-bound lane of the Dhaka–Mymensingh Highway in the Member Bari area and began protesting. The blockade halted traffic on the lane and caused congestion.

Factory sources said a layoff had been announced effective October 10 for approximately 585 workers in the garment and cutting departments of Unit 2, citing insufficient production work and boiler-related problems.

The workers alleged that when they attempted to gather beside the factory’s main gate on Monday morning, local residents and the factory’s scrap fabric traders obstructed them. The incident created tension among the workers, who subsequently moved onto the highway to demand the factory’s reopening.

The workers said the factory initially announced a sudden two-day holiday. Later, on Saturday (October 10), a layoff notice was posted in front of the factory. They alleged that the authorities had not consulted them about their outstanding dues, future employment prospects or plans to reopen the factory before making the decision.

The workers also said they had received no clear information from the authorities about whether the factory would resume operations. The uncertainty has left them concerned about their livelihoods. They are unsure whether to wait for the factory to reopen or seek employment elsewhere.

They added that losing their income would make it difficult to support their families. Their regular earnings are essential for meeting household expenses, including rent and food. In this situation, they have demanded that the factory reopen as soon as possible and that they be allowed to return to work.

Upon receiving reports of the blockade, police from Salna Highway Police Station arrived at the scene and spoke with the workers. After police assured them that their demands would be addressed, the workers withdrew from the highway, allowing traffic to resume normally.

Salna Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Shahabur Rahman said workers had briefly blocked the highway in the Member Bari area on Monday morning. Police subsequently arrived and persuaded them to leave the road. He added that the incident did not cause any major traffic congestion or disorder.