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The event, titled “We Want Freedom for Fish, Meat, Rice, and Wages,” 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, 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.

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 toward the Secretariat.

Meanwhile, the National Citizen Party’s labour wing also held a demonstration in front of Shrom Bhaban expressing solidarity with the protesting workers.