Gazipur mill workers block road for pay

Workers of a spinning mill yesterday blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in Sreepur of Gazipur demanding their salaries for the current month and Eid bonuses.

Around a 2km tailback was created on both sides of the road after the workers of Paradise Spinning Mills Ltd took to the street in the afternoon.

The demonstrators complained about the authorities' decision to keep the mill open during the Eid vacation without paying the salaries and bonuses.

The management announced the decision after a meeting on Thursday, they said. Abul Bashar, general manager of the mill, said they would pay them the salaries at the end of this month.

Following the assurance, the agitated workers withdrew the blockade after 15 minutes, said Sreepur police.

Bashar said the mill would remain open during the vacation and the workers would be paid for those three and half days.

Meanwhile, readymade garment workers of different factories formed a human chain at the Rana Plaza site in Savar yesterday demanding Eid bonuses, reports our Savar correspondent.

Under the banner of "Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers Federation", they also demanded that the prices of essentials be decreased.

Rafiqul Islam Sujon, president of the federation, chaired the programme.

He said they would go for tougher movements if any worker of any factory was terminated during Eid vacation, which is common.