Garment workers demanding higher wages blocked the Dhaka-Tangail Highway in Gazipur on Saturday, bringing traffic to a standstill and causing severe disruption for commuters.
The blockade began near Palli Bidyut in Chandra after noon and was still ongoing at 4:30pm, said Shahidul Islam, officer-in-charge of Kaliakair Police Station.
Garment workers across Gazipur's industrial belt have been protesting for several days over wage demands, staging demonstrations, blocking highways and vandalising factories.
Police said workers from a factory near Palli Bidyut started protesting after noon before taking position on the highway, halting traffic in both directions.
Several nearby factories have been shut to prevent further deterioration of the situation, said Md Amjad Hossain, superintendent of Gazipur Industrial Police.
He said the protesters were still occupying the highway at 4:30pm, while police were trying to persuade them to leave.
Officer Shahidul said police personnel were at the scene and holding discussions with the protesters to clear the road and restore traffic movement.
