AI Image

Bangladesh forms wage board as garment protests turn violent

Reuters • November 1, 2026 • world

Key Points:

Bangladesh has formed a six-member wage board to review garment workers' pay amid ongoing protests demanding a minimum monthly wage increase from 12,500 taka to 30,000 taka due to rising living costs.
Despite the wage board announcement, widespread demonstrations continue across major industrial areas, disrupting transport and factory operations, with police using tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters.
The unrest has led to the closure of 25 to 30 factories and deployment of Border Guard Bangladesh personnel to maintain order, particularly in key industrial hubs like Dhaka, Gazipur, and Ashulia.
Labour Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury urged workers to return to work, warning that prolonged disruptions could delay export shipments and payments, negatively impacting both manufacturers and workers.
Bangladesh's ready-made garment industry, employing about 4 million workers and contributing 10% of GDP, is critical to the economy and generates over 80% of the country's export earnings.

Trending Business