Workers of a garment factory in Gazipur's Sreepur area blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway for nearly an hour this morning, protesting the sudden closure of their factory following an earlier strike over layoffs.

They blocked the highway around 10:30am, halting vehicular movement for approximately 45 minutes.

Traffic resumed only after army personnel reached the spot and calmed the situation around 11:15am, said Ayub Ali, officer-in-charge (OC) of Mawna Highway Police Station.

The demonstration was sparked after workers went to the factory this morning to find a notice announcing an indefinite closure.

Joinal Abedin Mandal, OC of Sreepur Police Station said the protest followed a dispute over the termination of 40 workers on Monday, which led to a strike and subsequent discussions with factory management yesterday.

"We found the factory gates locked in the morning with a notice saying it was closed. No prior information was given," said one protesting worker.

Several workers claimed that the factory management issued the closure notice without addressing their demands or clearing outstanding dues.

At 11:15am, workers ended the roadblock after army officials assured them that discussions would be held with relevant authorities.

An official from the factory's human resources department said that the factory was shut indefinitely under Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act.

"All dues will be cleared as soon as possible," he said.

When questioned about the failure to pay dues before closure, he replied, "This decision was taken due to the prevailing situation."