Garment workers in Gazipur are staging demonstrations protesting the sudden layoff of employees in a readymade garment factory.

The workers of CA Knitwear factory have been blocking the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway since 8 am on Thursday (Nov 29), bringing traffic to a standstill.

Almost 400 employees were not allowed to enter the factory when they showed for work on Thursday morning, the operators of many departments confirmed.

Cutting operator Jannat Ara said that she was thrown out of the factory around five days ago after she refused to sign on a blank paper.

“Although they have been told that their demands will be met, they refuse to budge until the owner speaks to them,” said Gazipur Industrial police Superintendent Shaheb Ali Pathan.

“A representative of the administration is trying to placate them,” he added.

Gazipur Industrial police, Jaydevpur police and Maona police are trying to bring the situation under control.