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was organised by the Ganatantrik Adhikar Committee, which urged the interim government to ensure payment of all outstanding wages and bonuses to workers across the country.

Speaking at the rally, Prof Anu Muhammad said when the government says unpaid wages are the responsibility of the factory owners and not the government, it is an act of extreme negligence.

“We have heard such statements during past fascist regimes. If a company fails to pay its workers, the government must hold it accountable,” he said.

“Yet, instead of taking action against the owners, the industrial police attacked workers and student leaders yesterday (Tuesday). For this, the government should be held accountable.” he added.

Researcher Maha Mirza said, “Workers have gone unpaid for three months while factory owners continue to deceive them. When they protest, police attack them. Under the Awami League government, workers faced repression, and the situation remains unchanged. Instead of being sympathetic, we are becoming even more inhumane.” She demanded that all pending wages and allowances be cleared before Eid.

Raju Ahmed, general secretary of the Garments-Textile Sramik Federation, said, “We had to protest for our wages even under Awami League’s rule. If we still have to fight for our rightful dues, then what has changed?”

Workers said factory owners had repeatedly assured them of payment but failed to deliver, leaving them in financial distress ahead of Eid.

They demanded wages for January and February, food allowances, Eid bonuses, and the current month’s salary. Protesters vowed to continue until their dues were settled.

Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua also spoke at the rally.

Since March 23, workers from several garment factories, including TNZ Apparels Limited and Apparels Plus Eco Limited, have been staging sit-ins in front of the Shrom Bhaban.

On Monday afternoon, at least five police personnel and several workers were injured as protesters marched towards the Secretariat.