Hundreds of workers in Bangladesh blocked the Dhaka-Tangail and Dhaka-Mymensingh highways at the Bhogra Bypass intersection in Gazipur on Monday, protesting against unpaid wages. The protests caused heavy traffic congestion, affecting local commuters.

The protesters claimed that over 300 workers had not received their salaries, with the authorities failing to provide a valid reason for the delay.

In a separate protest, temporary workers of Bangladesh Railway gathered in front of the Ministry of Railways in Dhaka on Monday, demanding overdue salaries and other benefits.

Last week, workers from at least 15 garment factories in Gazipur’s Kaliakoir staged demonstrations, blocking the Dhaka-Tangail highway. The protests were triggered by the closure of a factory and reports of an alleged assault on workers.

Bangladesh ranks third among South Asian nations with the highest percentage of low-paid workers, after Sri Lanka and Bhutan, according to a November 2024 report by the International Labour Organization (ILO). Economists have warned that declining real incomes have forced low-income workers to cut down on food consumption.

A 2025 policy brief from New York-based Cornell University recommended that Bangladesh review its wage-setting process annually. The report highlighted that apparel workers earning the minimum wage are losing income each year due to rising inflation.

Protests over unpaid wages and poor working conditions have intensified since the interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, took office in August 2024. Reports indicate that ongoing worker unrest has forced the closure of several factories, with some protests turning violent, leading to injuries and fatalities among workers.