Workers block Dhaka-Chattogram highway

Pressing home their 21-point demand including increase in salary and allowance, the workers of pharmaceutical factories are holding demonstrations by blocking the Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Gazaria upazila of Munshiganj, causing a long traffic jam on both sides of the road.

The workers of JMI Company Limited blocked the highway from 8 am on Wednesday (October 16). Due to the blockade, hundreds of vehicles got stuck in the road, adding suffering to the commuters.

The agitating workers took to the streets as a sick worker died two days ago due to lack of treatment, getting no leave from the company.

The workers alleged that a worker sought sick leave to the company two days ago. But he failed to secure leave and died due to lack of treatment.

However, the owner of the company could not be reached for any comment on the issue.

The workers of the factory said, “People may get sick. The company refuses to grant us leave even if we are sick. If someone in the family gets sick, we cannot stand by them.”

Officer in-Charge (OC) of Gazaria police station Mahbubur Rahman said, “We are trying to resolve the issue by communicating with the owners regarding the demands of the protesting workers.”