Worker fatally struck by truck, protesters block Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in Gazipur

A tragic incident took place early Wednesday morning in Gazipur’s Bagher Bazar, where a garment worker from Golden Refit Garments Limited lost his life after being hit by a truck. 

In response, hundreds of his colleagues took to the streets, blocking the busy Dhaka-Mymensingh highway, demanding justice for the victim.

The accident occurred at approximately 5:45 a.m. as the worker was on his way to the factory. While crossing the road, he was struck by a truck, which killed him instantly. 

According to Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Joydebpur Police Station, Abdul Halim, the victim was scheduled to start his shift at 6 a.m. but never made it to the factory.

"The worker had duty at 6 a.m., but he was hit by the truck around 5:45 a.m. as he was trying to cross the road," confirmed OC Abdul Halim.

As the news spread among the workers of Golden Refit Garments, emotions quickly flared. By morning, a large number of the factory workers gathered in protest, blocking the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway, causing a significant disruption to traffic in the area. 

They demanded accountability and justice for their colleague’s untimely death.

This incident bears a striking resemblance to a recent tragedy in Dhaka’s Banani area, where a garment worker was similarly killed by a truck in front of Chairman Bari. 

Following that incident, enraged workers from nearby factories protested by blocking the roads, demanding the arrest of the truck driver responsible for the accident. 

The blockade lasted for six and a half hours before police intervention, which eventually led to the road being cleared.

In connection with the Banani accident, police made an arrest yesterday. 

However, the frustration among garment workers over the recurring accidents has been growing, as workers continue to voice their concerns over road safety and the need for stricter regulations for truck drivers.

The protest in Gazipur has highlighted the need for improved safety measures for workers commuting to their jobs, particularly in industrial zones where heavy traffic and trucks are a constant threat.

As of now, traffic in the Bagher Bazar area remains disrupted, with police attempting to manage the situation. 

Further updates regarding the outcome of this protest are expected.