Workers of Etyadi Jeans factory staged a demonstration and blocked a major road in the Aturer Depot area of Chittagong on Wednesday morning, demanding payment of overdue wages, allowances and other outstanding benefits.
The protest began on 19 August when workers gathered on the main road outside their workplace and took up positions there. The blockade disrupted traffic through the busy area, causing congestion and considerable inconvenience for commuters, pedestrians and people travelling to work and other destinations.
The workers alleged that their wages and other legitimate dues had remained unpaid for a prolonged period. Although they had continued working, they said they had repeatedly failed to receive their earnings within the expected timeframe. The resulting financial pressure has made it increasingly difficult for many workers to meet routine household expenses, including food costs, rent, education and other essential payments.
Alongside the demand for overdue wages, the protesters said they had raised several other legitimate concerns with the factory management. According to them, assurances had previously been given regarding settlement of their outstanding payments, but those commitments had not produced a lasting solution.
The workers said they were compelled to take their protest to the road after waiting for an effective resolution for a considerable period. They called for the immediate settlement of all outstanding wages and allowances, as well as action on their other demands. They also warned that failure to resolve the dispute through discussions could lead them to consider stronger programmes in the future.
The road blockade had a direct impact on traffic in the Aturer Depot area. As vehicles began to accumulate on the affected route, congestion spread to nearby roads. Many passengers were forced to remain stuck in traffic for extended periods, making it difficult for them to reach their workplaces and destinations on time.
Members of the law enforcement agencies went to the scene after receiving information about the demonstration. They worked to keep the situation under control and attempted to restore normal traffic movement. At the same time, efforts were made to listen to the workers’ grievances and prevent the situation from escalating.
Mahmuda Begum, superintendent of police of Chittagong Industrial Police, said garment workers were protesting over unpaid wages and several other demands. She said members of the industrial police and the relevant local police station were present at the scene and were working to maintain order. Discussions were also being held with both the workers and factory management in an effort to resolve the dispute.
Timely payment of wages is a crucial element of stability in the garment industry. Prolonged uncertainty over salaries can place workers under severe financial strain while also increasing dissatisfaction in the workplace. If such disputes remain unresolved, they can disrupt production, affect labour-management relations and create wider difficulties for businesses and surrounding communities.
The latest protest therefore places pressure on the factory authorities to address the workers’ complaints promptly. While the blockade has caused disruption for ordinary commuters, the workers maintain that their action is aimed at securing wages and benefits they believe are already owed to them. The immediate priority now is to establish a dialogue, determine the outstanding liabilities and reach a practical settlement that can restore both workers’ financial security and normal operations at the factory.
