Dhaka brought to standstill as Nassa Group workers block roads

Dhaka was gripped by gridlock as vehicular movement on both sides of Tejgaon Love Road remained suspended after workers of Nassa Group staged a sit-in programme on Tuesday demanding payment of overdue wages.

The congestion spread to different parts of the city, especially as access to the busy Dhaka Elevated Expressway was also obstructed.

Traffic came to a near standstill in Mohakhali, Farmgate, Tejgaon and adjoining areas, leaving thousands of commuters stranded.

The blockade lasted for around two hours.

Speaking to Daily Waadaa, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Tejgaon Industrial Zone of DMP) Abdullah Al Imran said, “Around three to four hundred workers of Nassa group blocked the road demanding their outstanding wages.”

A Facebook post from the Gulshan division of Dhaka Metropolitan Traffic Police said, “Due to a sit-in protest by workers of Nassa Group demanding payment of their outstanding wages, traffic has been halted in both directions on Love Road [Tajuddin Ahmed Road] in the Tejgaon area. As a result, severe traffic congestion has also developed on the surrounding roads.”

On the protests, the workers distributed leaflets explaining their demands.

Workers demanded payment of wages for May; payment of accrued leave encashment for 2025; payment of arrears related to a 2025 annual increment; and settlement of notice pay bills. 

They also demanded four months' wages and allowances (equivalent to 120 days) in accordance with the labour law and 100% payment of service benefits for all workers and employees as stipulated by labour regulations.

In addition, the workers called on authorities to refrain from any form of harassment during the payment process.

Nassa Group could not be reached for comment. 

Since the fall of the Awami League regime, Nassa group has found itself in hot waters.

The total loans of the Nassa Group amount to around Tk8,677cr, according to media reports.

It said according to bank sources, almost all of these loans have become defaulted.

Nassa Group is led by Nazrul Islam Mazumder, who was also the chairman of Exim Bank.

He was arrested from his Gulshan house on 1 October 2024, and has been in jail since then.

He has been in and out of remand in several cases linked to murder, attempted murder and corruption.