RMG workers block highway for salary, vacation

Workers of a garment factory in Tongi blocked Dhaka-Mymensingh highway for an hour yesterday, demanding full salary of July and 12-day vacation for Eid-ul-Azha. 

The workers of Viyellatex Ltd gathered in front of the factory at Sataish area around 9am and blocked the highway around 10am.

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The blockade created a gridlock for nearly three kilometres on both sides of the highway.

Police dispersed the agitating workers by firing tear shells and cleared the road around 11am.

Factory authorities recently announced that the workers will get 15 days' salary, Eid bonus and eight-day vacation for Eid-ul-Azha, a worker said, wishing anonymity.

But a few days earlier, workers started demanding their full salary, including full bonus, and 12-day holiday, he said.

Gazipur Industrial Police Inspector Md Razzakul Hayder said factory officials were scheduled to discuss with BGMEA to resolve the matter, but workers started protesting before that.

An administrative employee of the factory, seeking anonymity, said authorities were following government guidelines regarding holidays. Even then, they had extended the vacation on humanitarian grounds, but workers did not accept.

Now, the factory will follow BGMEA's recommendation after discussion, he added.