Staff Correspondent, Narayanganj 

In Sonargaon, Narayanganj, jute mill workers blocked the Dhaka-Chattogram highway demanding their unpaid wages. On Tuesday  at around 8:00 AM, workers of Malek Jute Mills staged a protest and blocked the road in the Kanchpur area, chanting slogans such as “We want our dues” and “No to layoffs.”

The blockade caused a massive traffic jam stretching nearly 5 kilometers from Madanpur to Shimrail, causing severe suffering for commuters. Later, police and factory officials arrived on the scene and assured the workers, prompting them to withdraw from the highway around 10:00 AM. Traffic resumed shortly after.

The protesting workers alleged that the Malek Jute Mill authorities have withheld their salaries for the past four weeks. Suddenly and without any prior notice, the mill was shut down. They said the protest was both a response to this closure and a demand for payment of their outstanding wages.

The workers warned that the dues must be cleared within the day. If the authorities try to shut down the mill using force or hired goons without any formal notice, they would be forced to return to the streets in protest.

Malek Jute Mill's Deputy General Manager (DGM) Maksudur Rahman and Kanchpur Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Wahid Morshed arrived at the scene and spoke with the workers.

DGM Maksudur Rahman assured that all outstanding wages would be paid, and confirmed that the workers have called off their protest.

OC Wahid Morshed said the workers accepted the assurances given by the mill authorities and withdrew peacefully from the highway. Traffic is now flowing normally.