Garment workers blocked the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway on Monday morning, alleging that a fellow worker died due to lack of medical treatment after being denied sick leave.
The protest began around 10:00 am at the Madanpur section of the highway, causing severe traffic congestion over approximately six kilometers in the Chattogram-bound lane.
According to sources, a female worker at the Laris Fashion garment factory in Bandar Upazila had been working despite feeling unwell. She applied for leave after falling sick, but the management allegedly forced her to continue working. When her condition worsened, she collapsed on the factory floor and was immediately taken to a local hospital by her colleagues. As her condition deteriorated further, she was transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared her dead.
Protesting workers accused the factory management of responsibility for the death, claiming that denying sick leave led to the fatality. They demanded the arrest of the factory officials involved in the incident.
Contacted for comment, Laris Fashion CEO Shimul told Jago News that the worker was immediately taken to a local hospital after falling ill. When her condition worsened, she was transferred to DMCH, where she was pronounced dead. “There was no negligence on our part. We took every possible measure. After her death, we handled all burial arrangements and have communicated with her family, promising full assistance, including financial support,” he added.
Shimul also said that the company agreed to terminate those responsible for the floor where the incident occurred, but the workers continued their protest.
Attempts to reach Kanchpur Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Kader Zilani were unsuccessful. Bandar Police Station OC Liakat Ali told Jago News that the workers were protesting, blaming the factory management for their colleague’s death. “We are trying to negotiate with them. Police from the station, as well as district, highway, and industrial units, are present at the site,” he said.