In Gazipur’s Chandra area, workers of Hardi Associates factory blocked the highway on Thursday morning to demand their unpaid wages. The demonstration, which began at around 10:30 AM, created significant disruptions, leaving commuters stranded and causing severe traffic congestion on key routes, including the Chandra-Nabinagar, Dhaka-Tangail, and Joydebpur-Tangail highways.

The protesting workers stated that they have not received their wages for two months and alleged that the factory’s management has gone into hiding. Faced with mounting frustrations and financial difficulties, they decided to block the highway as a last resort. The workers vowed to continue the blockade until the factory owners meet their demands and address their grievances.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Rois Uddin of Naozor Highway Police Station confirmed the incident, stating that efforts are underway to manage the situation. "The workers blocked the highway demanding two months’ unpaid wages. We are working on providing diversions to ease traffic congestion and are engaging with the protesters to resolve the matter and clear the highway," said OC Rois Uddin.

This is not the first instance of protests by Hardi Associates workers. Earlier this week, on Monday and Tuesday, the workers demonstrated over the same issue. The factory remained closed on Wednesday in observance of Christmas, but the protests resumed on Thursday after the factory reopened.

The blockade has caused immense inconvenience to travelers on these major routes, with traffic piling up for miles. Authorities are hopeful that negotiations with the workers will lead to a resolution and restore normalcy to the highways.