Dhaka, Nov. 10 -- Fresh unrest has hit the Ashulia industrial belt on the outskirts of Dhaka, prompting the closure of more than 100 garment factories.

On Tuesday morning, apparel workers blocked the Baipail-Abdullahpur road in Jamgora, staging demonstrations to demand a Tk 30,000 minimum wage, an end to arbitrary "blacklisting", the reinstatement of laid-off colleagues, and the release of arrested workers.

Witnesses reported that workers arrived on schedule at various factories across the industrial zone and clocked in as usual.

However, staff at several units -- including Envoy, Hollywood, The Rose, and Ha-Meem Group's Next Collections -- walked out to press for their demands once inside.

Around 10:30am, protesters took to the Baipa...