In Gazipur’s Sreepur upazila, hundreds of workers from the RAK Ceramics factory staged a protest on the Dhaka–Mymensingh highway on Sunday morning, demanding payment of overdue wages and fulfillment of 10-point demands.
The demonstration caused severe traffic congestion on both sides of the highway, stranding office-bound commuters.
The protest began around 6:30 AM near the Joyna Bazar area under Gazipur Union. Tensions escalated when law enforcement attempted to disperse the workers, leading to clashes between the police and protesters.
Police responded by firing tear gas and sound grenades to control the situation. At least 10 people, including police officers and a journalist, were injured in the violence. Their identities have not yet been confirmed.
By 10:00 AM, after approximately three and a half hours, traffic resumed on the highway.
One of the protesting workers, Mahbub Hossain, said, “While discussions were ongoing with the authorities, police suddenly fired tear gas and sound grenades, injuring many workers.”
Another worker, Monir Hossain, stated, “Our wages and benefits have been unpaid for the past seven months under a signed agreement. The management keeps delaying payments with false promises. We have families to support and school fees to pay. We are left with no choice but to take to the streets.”
The protesting workers vowed to continue their demonstration until all 10 demands are met. Among the key issues are the clearance of seven months’ wage arrears by August 1, merit-based appointments, and the removal of unqualified individuals from key positions.
RAK Ceramics` officials told media that discussions were ongoing with senior management regarding the workers` demands. “Instead of listening to us, the workers took to the highway and began throwing bricks and stones randomly. Police eventually brought the situation under control,” he added.
Sreepur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Abdul Barek said, “Upon receiving the report, both local and industrial police forces arrived to resolve the matter peacefully. However, workers started throwing stones at the police. Tear gas and sound grenades were used to disperse them. The workers threw bricks at various points of the highway in several waves. To maintain order, army personnel were also deployed on the scene.”
