Hasina Akhter, 30, is a senior operator in the finishing section of Cottage Garments in Bagherbazar of Gazipur Sadar upazila.
She left for her village in Netrakona's Durgapur upazila when the government issued a countrywide general holiday back in March 26 as a measure to curb the coronavirus pandemic.
However, when readymade garment factories began to reopen in phases on Sunday, she had no choice but to return to work or risk losing her job, she told Dhaka Tribune. She was walking back near Board Bazar in Gazipur on Saturday.
Many readymade garment workers from across the country returned to work in Dhaka and nearby areas, on Sunday. Many began their trip back to work on Saturday.
Many apparel factories with production generally suspended under the shutdown holiday until May 5, began to reopen on Sunday in phases and zone-wise as a measure to keep the economy afloat.
From Mymensingh, scores of garment workers tried coming to Dhaka on Sunday, but there were reports of police forcing them to return to their respective homes in the district's Shambhuganj, Pat Gudam Bridge, and Digharkanda Bypass areas.
Mahmudul Islam, officer-in-charge of Kotwali model police station, said there were no directives from the government for those workers to return to work who lived in areas at a distance from their factories , which is why law enforcement was sending them back, to prevent further spread of the coronavirus.
"Only those who live near their factories can rejoin work. No one else. That is what we told workers and convinced them to return," he added.
Hamidur Rahman, a sewing operator at a factory in Gazipur's Salna area, said he returned to work on Sunday from Mymensingh.
"It cost me Tk1,400 from Mymensingh's Haluaghat to Maona upazila in Gazipur, using a motorcycle, and walking to get back," he added.
Over 2,000 workers reportedly used the Mawa ferry in Munshiganj to reach Dhaka on Sunday.
Md Helal Uddin, in-charge of Mawa traffic police, said although light vehicles were barred from using the ferry, workers used CNG-run auto-rickshaws, covered vans, trucks, rickshaws, vans, and other vehicles to reach the capital.
"Many used rickshaws or simply walked after getting off at Mawa ferry ghat. All these methods were costly for all of them," he added.
Md Shafiqul Islam, assistant manager of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) at Shimulia ghat, said at least 500 goods-laden trucks and covered vans crossed over on the ferry, on Sunday.
Many workers said drivers capitalized on the lack of transportation for workers, charging higher fares to make a quick buck.
A worker from Barisal said he and many others came to Shimulia ferry ghat in Madaripur from Barisal in an ambulance for Tk1,500 per person.
