Garment workers resumed their blockade on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway on Monday afternoon, only ninety minutes after they ended demonstrations on assurances from the Industries Ministry of paying their three months’ pending salaries.

Workers of TNZ group staged demonstrations for three days till 2pm Monday, when the Industries Secretary managed to persuade them to lift the blockade by assuring them on paying one month's salary from government funds by Sunday. Factory owners would pay salaries for the remaining two months soon after consultation with labour leaders, the secretary had assured the agitating workers.

However, following the end of blockade, they decided to restart it during consultations amongst themselves. The demonstration would continue until they get their hands on their salaries, they claimed adding many previous assurances given during the interim government tenure were not honoured.

Earlier, the workers took to the street around 9am on Monday for the third consecutive day to press home their demand. They also vandalised some vehicles on the highway.

Mosharraf Hossain, assistant superintendent of Gazipur Industrial Police, said secretary to the Industries Ministry assured the workers of clearing their dues through an audio message.

Initially, the government will arrange Tk6 crore and a meeting will be held with the owners over the payment of the rest of the dues, he said.

A five-member team led by Gazipur Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Ershad Mia will meet the others concerned. It is worth noting that the workers had ended their earlier movement on similar assurances, but even after announcing salary disbursal dates multiple times, the authorities are yet to pay the dues.

The workers who took to the highway on Saturday continued their demonstration on Monday morning, leading to severe traffic congestion and creating immense hardship for commuters.

Due to the protest, at least 20 garment factories in the surrounding area declared holiday to avert trouble.