Dhaka, Oct. 31 -- Garment workers demanding pay hikes have blocked the Dhaka-Tangail Highway in Gazipur, halting traffic and causing severe disruption for commuters.

The blockade began near Palli Bidyut of Chandra on Saturday afternoon and was still under way at 4:30pm, said Shahidul Islam, chief of Kaliakair Police Station.

Garment workers across Gazipur's industrial belt have been protesting over wages for several days, blocking highways, marching and vandalising factories.

Police said workers at one factory near Palli Bidyut began their protest after noon, then blocked the highway. Traffic has been stuck since.

Several factories nearby have been shut to keep the situation under control, said Md Amjad Hossain, superintendent of Gazi...