Dhaka, Nov. 1 -- Authorities have declared a day's holiday at 177 garment factories in the Savar-Ashulia industrial belt amid protests over minimum wages and other demands, Industrial Police say.

Workers have been demonstrating since morning, said Mohammad Mominul Islam Bhuiyan, superintendent of police for the Ashulia zone under Industrial Police-1.

"Amid the labour unrest, the authorities of 177 garment factories in Savar and Ashulia have declared a holiday for [Sunday]," he said on Sunday afternoon.

Later, workers from several factories blocked the Dhaka-Aricha Highway at Hemayetpur, disrupting traffic along the busy route.

The blockade has caused difficulties for vehicles travelling along the highway.

Police are trying to bring t...