RMG workers block Rangpur-Dhaka Highway for 2nd day

Hundreds of apparel workers went out on demonstrations and blocked Rangpur -Dhaka highway in Rangpur for the second day on Sunday demanding resumption of public transports to reach their workplaces as the export-oriented factories opened on the day.

Workers from Rangpur and adjacent districts gathered at the Modern intersection of Rangpur city since morning to board on goods-laden vehicles and empty trucks to go to the capital.

As police barred them getting on goods-laden trucks heading towards Dhaka, the workers got agitated held rally and blocked the highway. The blockade began at 11:00am and continued till 4:00pm.

The workers said the factories were declared closed for 15 days to ensure strict lockdown after Eid-ul-Azha holidays and they came home. All of a sudden they were asked to join works from Sunday but there were no public transports to reach Dhaka, they said.

Hossain Ali works at a factory in Gazipur. He came home at Pateshori bazar Kuigram on the Eid day. He got notice from factory that it would open on August 1. “The sudden notice made me puzzled and I started from home on Friday night and came to Rangpur by auto-rickshaw this morning. I will lose my job if I fail to join the factory in time,” he said.

Same was the expression of the workers who gathered at Modern intersection and demanded resumption of bus and train services.

Rangpur Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Altaf Hossain said, “We talked to the workers and pacified them. The workers withdrew the blockade when we assured them to arrange vehicles to reach the capital maintaining the health protocol.”

“We have arranged some BRTC buses and trucks for them,” he added.