Garment Worker Death Sparks Protests in Gazipur

Violent protests and road blockades have erupted in Gazipur’s Sripur upazila following the death of a female garment worker at a local factory, with allegations from fellow workers that she was compelled to continue working despite serious illness.

The incident took place late on Wednesday night at Colour & Company Limited, located in the Tepirbari area under Telihati Union. The deceased, Liza Begum, aged 37, was employed as a sewing operator and had been living in a rented house in the Koroitola area of Sripur municipality. She hailed from Huglabania village in Nazirpur upazila of Pirojpur district and was the daughter of Ashraf Ali.

According to co-workers, Liza had been unwell for nearly two weeks but continued to report for duty amid mounting physical discomfort. Several employees alleged that she repeatedly requested leave as her condition worsened, yet permission was not granted. On Wednesday night, when her illness allegedly intensified, she again sought time off but remained at work. Around 12:45 am, she suddenly collapsed on the factory floor. Fellow workers rushed her for assistance, but she was declared dead shortly afterwards.

The news of her death quickly spread through the industrial area, triggering anger among workers across several nearby factories, including Colour & Company Limited, Triple Apparels, MSC, and Blue Planet Knitwear Limited. By midday, hundreds of workers had taken to the streets, blocking the Baromi–Mawna regional road and staging demonstrations demanding accountability.

Tensions escalated as protests spread, with reports of vandalism at multiple factory premises. Vehicles inside Triple Apparels were also damaged during the unrest. Workers alleged that negligence and pressure from factory management contributed to the tragedy, intensifying demands for justice and improved working conditions.

Factory officials, however, presented a more cautious account. Mohd Shahidul Islam, director of operations at Colour & Company Limited, stated that a worker had died while unwell but said he was not aware of any formal leave request submitted prior to the incident. The factory declared a one-day general closure following the unrest.

Police were deployed to the area soon after the incident was reported. Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Shahinur Alam of Sripur Police Station said law enforcement responded swiftly as tensions spread across multiple factories. Industrial police and district police units continue to monitor the situation and work to restore order.

The episode has once again highlighted long-standing concerns over workplace conditions, rest provisions, and worker welfare within the country’s garment sector, which remains one of the largest contributors to the national economy and frequently witnesses labour disputes over working hours and health safeguards.