Traffic remains disrupted for two and a half hours amid protests.
Traffic is disrupted around Shibu Market, Jalkuri, and Bhui Garh as garment workers block the Dhaka-Narayanganj Link Road demanding a Tk30,000 minimum wage today (2 November 2026). Photo: TBS
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Traffic is disrupted around Shibu Market, Jalkuri, and Bhui Garh as garment workers block the Dhaka-Narayanganj Link Road demanding a Tk30,000 minimum wage today (2 November 2026). Photo: TBS
RMG workers from several factories blocked the Dhaka-Narayanganj Link Road for two and a half hours today (2 November), demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk30,000.
The blockade, which lasted from 12:30pm to 3pm, disrupted traffic around Shibu Market, Jalkuri and Bhui Garh.
The protesters set fires on the road and placed obstacles to prevent vehicles from passing. Workers from around 20 small and large factories in the Shibu Market and Katherpool areas later joined the demonstration.
Initially, workers blocked the road at Shibu Market before marching towards Signboard. Near Bhui Garh, some protesters tried to bring workers out of SB Garments to join the demonstration.
When factory authorities objected, protesters allegedly threw bricks and stones at the factory, breaking its glass windows. The factory was subsequently declared closed as the situation deteriorated.
Garment workers gather on the Dhaka-Narayanganj Link Road during a two-and-a-half-hour blockade demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk30,000 today (2 November 2026). Photo: TBS
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Garment workers gather on the Dhaka-Narayanganj Link Road during a two-and-a-half-hour blockade demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk30,000 today (2 November 2026). Photo: TBS
Although traffic movement was disrupted, no vehicles were reportedly vandalised or set on fire. However, protesters were seen behaving aggressively towards journalists covering the demonstration.
Around 2:30pm, police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel took positions at Bhui Garh intersection.
As the two sides came face to face, heavy rain forced both sides to leave the road. After the rain stopped around 3pm, law enforcement personnel persuaded the workers to clear the road.
Additional Superintendent of Police of Narayanganj Tariq Al Mehdi said vehicular movement resumed at 3pm.
The demonstration comes amid a series of protests by readymade garment (RMG) workers across Dhaka and its surrounding industrial areas since mid-October. Workers have been demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk30,000, payment of outstanding wages and other benefits.
Earlier on Monday, thousands of workers blocked the Dhaka-Tangail and Dhaka-Mymensingh highways in Gazipur, while fresh demonstrations and clashes were reported in Ashulia and Savar.
Police stand guard during a two-and-a-half-hour blockade of the Dhaka-Narayanganj Link Road by garment workers demanding a Tk30,000 minimum monthly wage today (2 November 2026). Photo: TBS
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Police stand guard during a two-and-a-half-hour blockade of the Dhaka-Narayanganj Link Road by garment workers demanding a Tk30,000 minimum monthly wage today (2 November 2026). Photo: TBS
Ten platoons of BGB, along with 21 executive magistrates, were deployed in Gazipur to maintain law and order.
At least 39 people were arrested in connection with violence and alleged incitement, while more than 150 garment factories in Gazipur declared general holidays.
On Sunday (1 November), RMG workers blocked roads in Mirpur-10, Mirpur-11 and Pallabi, triggering clashes with police and the detention of 19 people.
The current minimum monthly wage for garment workers is Tk12,500, with the next wage review scheduled for December 2026.
Meanwhile, unrest on Sunday prevented 529 garment factories from operating, according to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
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