TDS Desk:

A group of workers, unable to travel to Malaysia despite securing calling visas, staged a protest by blocking a portion of the road in the capital’s Kawran Bazar area on Wednesday morning.

The demonstration began around 9am in front of the SAARC Fountain at Kawran Bazar.

Protesters under the banner of “Mass gathering and stay program” demanded immediate resolution to their grievances, highlighting the plight of 18,000 workers who failed to go to Malaysia on calling visas issued earlier this year.

The blockade caused severe traffic congestion, with one side of the road from Kawran Bazar to Panthapath completely halted. Commuters faced long delays as vehicles lined up on both sides of the main thoroughfare.

Sajib, one of the demonstrators, shared his struggles, saying: “I spent Tk5 lakh to secure a calling visa to Malaysia but couldn’t leave. Now I am drowning in debt and facing immense family pressure. We demand immediate arrangements to send us to Malaysia by January.”

He also called for a meeting with the chief adviser and Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus to discuss the matter.

Movement leader Main Uddin Babu reiterated the protesters’ resolve: “We won’t leave the streets until our demands are met. More workers are joining us, and the road will remain blocked until a solution is found.”