Savar (Dhaka) Correspondent

Workers of a ready-made garment factory are protesting by blocking road in Ashulia of Savar on Thursday demanding unpaid wages.

In the morning, the workers of 'Ethical Garments Limited' in Narsinghapur area under Yarpur Union of Ashulia blocked the Narsinghpur-Kashimpur road and staged this protest.

Earlier, this morning, when the workers went to work, they found a notice of closure at the gate of the factory. The notice said--"For the information of all the employees and workers working in 'Ethical Garments Limited', that according to the decision of the authorities, all sections of the factory will be closed on Thursday (May 16), all branches of Ethical Garments Limited will be closed as a general holiday. All are requested to cooperate fully in this regard.''

The workers said that almost every month, the factory authorities delay the payment of salary. The authority has not yet paid the salary for the month of April. Although the salary for the month of April was supposed to be paid on Wednesday (May 15), it was not paid. Later, in the morning, when the workers went to the factory to join work, they saw a closure notice at the gate. The workers then protested by blocking a regional road.

Bakul, a worker of that factory, said, ''The salary of the workers of April was supposed to be paid on May 10. Later, without paying the salary on May 10, it again fixed the salary payment date on May 15. Without paying the salary yesterday, the factory authorities fixed the salary payment day on May 21. But the workers did not accept this decision of the factory.''

Ethical Garments Limited Admin Manager Belal Hossain said, "The demands of the workers are reasonable. They will get the salary of April. Although the salary was supposed to be paid yesterday, it was not possible to arrange the money.

Due to this, it was informed that the salary will be paid on May 21. Yesterday the workers did not accept the decision of the factory and tried to strike. Later, this morning, when the workers came to the factory, they prepared for the movement. Due to fear of factory vandalism, we have declared factory general holiday for today. The factory authorities will not be able to pay the salary before the next May 21. We are trying to convince the workers.''

Ashulia Industrial Police-1 Assistant Superintendent of Police Subrata Kumar Saha said the situation is under control.