Gazipur, Mar 18 (V7N) – Workers of Fuyang Food Limited blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in the Hotapara area of Gazipur Sadar Upazila today, protesting the non-payment of their February salary arrears. The protest began at around 8 am inside the factory and later escalated when workers moved to the highway at approximately 9 am, halting traffic for nearly an hour.

The blockade caused significant disruptions to commuters, resulting in severe traffic congestion. To restore order, a joint team comprising the army, industrial police, and local police from Joydebpur station intervened and successfully cleared the highway after approximately 30 minutes. The situation returned to normal, though additional industrial police were stationed outside the factory to maintain peace.

Workers expressed deep frustration over the non-payment of their wages, highlighting their financial struggles. One worker, who wished to remain anonymous, shared, "We work for a salary of only 8,000 taka. If we retire after years of service, we are not given any compensation or due benefits. We will continue this protest until our demands are met."

The workers also pointed out that their financial crisis had worsened, with landlords pressuring them for unpaid rent and shopkeepers withholding products due to their inability to pay.

Abdul Latif Khan, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the Sreepur Camp of Gazipur-2 Industrial Police, confirmed that the workers blocked the highway for about 30 minutes demanding their February salary. After the intervention of the authorities, the workers were removed from the highway and traffic flow was restored.

Following the intervention, the factory authorities assured the workers that their salary arrears would be paid by tomorrow, according to the OC.

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