Synopsis
On March 17, hundreds of workers in Bangladesh protested in Dhaka, blocking major highways over unpaid wages, causing significant traffic disruptions. The protests highlight ongoing issues with wage delays and poor working conditions, affecting many workers across the country.Key Takeaways
- Protests in Dhaka over unpaid wages.
- Traffic disruptions due to worker demonstrations.
- Temporary railway workers demand overdue payments.
- Garment factory protests over closures and worker assaults.
- Wage-setting process needs annual review.
Dhaka, March 17 (NationPress) Hundreds of workers in Bangladesh obstructed both the Dhaka-Tangail and Dhaka-Mymensingh highways at the Bhogra Bypass intersection in Gazipur on Monday due to the issue of unpaid wages. The demonstrations resulted in significant traffic disruptions in the already busy area, causing major inconveniences for the local residents.
The demonstrators claimed that over 300 workers have not received their wages, with the management postponing payments without providing any justifiable explanation.
In a related event, temporary employees of Bangladesh Railway held a protest outside the Ministry of Railways in Dhaka on Monday, demanding their overdue payments and additional benefits.
Last week, employees from at least 15 garment factories in Kaliakoir, Gazipur protested, blocking the Dhaka-Tangail highway due to the closure of a factory and an alleged attack on workers, according to local news reports.
As per a report released in November 2024 by the International Labour Organization (ILO), Bangladesh has the third highest percentage of low-paid workers among South Asian countries, following Sri Lanka and Bhutan. Economists indicate that this growing inequality has compelled low-income and unskilled workers to limit their food intake due to falling real incomes.
A policy brief from Cornell University, published in 2025, recommends that Bangladesh should conduct an annual review of its wage-setting mechanism, as garment workers in the country earning a minimum wage are experiencing a decline in income each year due to the prevailing inflation rates, as reported by Financial Express, a leading daily in Bangladesh.
The wave of protests and strikes by workers over unpaid wages and worsening working conditions has swept across the entire nation since the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus assumed power in August 2024. Numerous reports have indicated that the ongoing demonstrations have resulted in the closure of various factories, and many workers have either lost their lives or sustained severe injuries during protest rallies.
