Savar, Jan 14, (V7N) - Around 40,000 workers of the Beximco Group formed a massive human chain along the Nabinagar-Chandra highway in Savar, demanding the reopening of 16 closed factories. The peaceful demonstration began at 10 AM on Tuesday (January 14), stretching across 15 kilometers on the Dhaka-bound lane. Workers held banners tied to their heads and vowed to vacate the highway by 1 PM, ensuring traffic flow remained unaffected.

The closure decision on December 15 followed a meeting by the Ministry of Labor and Employment's Advisory Council, citing a lack of orders and bank loan defaults as reasons. Beximco Industrial Park, led by Salman Fazlul Rahman, advisor to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has left thousands of workers jobless, causing severe financial distress.

Workers like Jamila expressed despair, struggling to pay rent and facing discrimination when seeking new jobs. Md. Jamal Uddin, a Beximco Quality Inspector, called for reopening the factories and payment of due salaries. Alim Uddin, Assistant Manager of Beximco Industrial Park, urged the government to open Letters of Credit (LCs) and secure purchase orders, warning of further protests if demands are unmet.

Aurobindo Bepari Bindu, president of the Revolutionary Garments Workers Federation, urged the government to engage in dialogue to prevent future unrest. Law enforcement, including the Gazipur Highway Police, ensured safety and smooth traffic during the demonstration.

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