Tension gripped the Konabari area of Gazipur this morning as hundreds of workers from Shadhin Garments Ltd took to the streets, blocking the Jaron-Konabari regional road to protest the factory’s sudden closure and months of unpaid wages.

According to police sources, the workers arrived around 8:00 am to find the factory gates locked without prior notice. Enraged, they staged a spontaneous demonstration, demanding the immediate payment of their three months’ outstanding salaries and the reopening of the factory.

The blockade quickly led to severe traffic congestion on the busy regional highway, leaving commuters and residents stranded for hours. Pedestrians and vehicles remained stuck as the protest intensified, causing distress to daily commuters.

“I need to get to the hospital urgently, but I’m stuck here,” said Abdul Momin, 45, a pedestrian. “The traffic is at a standstill, and I don’t know whether to wait or abandon my ride.”

Konabari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Salauddin confirmed that law enforcement was deployed to manage the situation. “The workers are protesting over multiple demands, primarily unpaid salaries,” he said. “We’re negotiating to clear the road and ensure calm.”

Inspector Morshed Zaman of Gazipur Industrial Police-2 echoed similar sentiments, saying the authorities have already contacted the factory management to find a solution. “We understand the workers’ frustration, but blocking roads worsens public suffering,” he said.

On the factory’s side, Kamruzzaman, the Admin Manager of Shadhin Garments Ltd, acknowledged the delay, attributing it to “financial difficulties” and the “illness of the owner’s wife, who is receiving treatment abroad.” He assured that efforts were being made to arrange payments in coordination with the Director of Finance.

However, when asked about reopening, Kamruzzaman admitted he could not confirm when operations would resume.

As of 12:40 pm, the blockade remained in place, with hundreds of workers still chanting slogans for justice. Police teams were stationed at the site, urging the demonstrators to disperse peacefully. Local officials were also seen meeting with worker representatives to defuse tensions.

The incident highlights growing unrest in Bangladesh’s garment sector, which accounts for more than 80% of the country’s export earnings but continues to face challenges related to wage delays, unsafe working conditions, and irregular payments — issues exacerbated by global market slowdowns and domestic financial strain.

Observers fear that such protests could intensify if the authorities and factory owners fail to reach timely settlements, threatening both worker livelihood and industrial stability in one of Bangladesh’s key economic zones.