Bangladesh garment workers demand higher wages, work halted at 529 factories

The agitation by garment workers in Bangladesh has intensified, and the situation is once again tense. Workers have taken to the streets demanding higher wages, citing rising inflation and the increased cost of grain and everyday necessities.

Thousands of workers came out in the capital, Dhaka, and in industrial areas such as Gazipur, Savar and Ashulia. Their main demand is that the minimum monthly wage be raised from the current 12,500 taka to 30,000 taka.

Roads were blocked at several places during the protest. At some locations, there were clashes between the police and the protesting workers.

According to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the protest on November 1 brought work to a halt at 529 garment factories in the country. About 9,87,000 workers have been affected.

The association said the figure does not represent workers who have lost their jobs. It counts the employees whose work was affected by the closure of the factories.

Protesters blocked roads in Dhaka and Gazipur, causing severe traffic disruption. Stones were thrown at some places, vehicles were set on fire and there were scuffles with the police. The police used tear gas and water cannon to bring the situation under control. The incidents have posed a major challenge for the country's key export sector.

In view of the agitation, the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has formed a six-member wage board. The board will review the wage structure for garment workers. The government has also appealed to workers to return to work.

Sheikh Hasina resigned from power in August 2024, after which Bangladesh's politics saw major changes. Tarique Rahman is now Prime Minister and Jamaat-e-Islami is the opposition party.