Bangladesh forms six-member wage board as garment protests disrupt factories

Wage board and demands

Bangladesh's Ministry of Labour and Employment formed a six-member wage board on 1 November to review minimum pay for garment workers. The board is to include representatives of the government, workers and factory owners. Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury said it was formed after discussions with workers' representatives and industry leaders, and he urged workers to resume work.

Workers are demanding a minimum monthly wage of 30,000 taka, more than double the current 12,500 taka. They cite rising costs of food, housing, transport and healthcare eroding purchasing power.

Protests and production disruption

Protests that began on 31 October continued after the announcement. Police said they used tear gas and water cannon on workers blocking a busy intersection in Dhaka; some protesters threw bricks, and clashes injured several people, including police officers. Hundreds of workers also blocked a highway in Gazipur.

About 25 to 30 factories were shut in Gazipur, and roughly 30 factories on Dhaka's outskirts declared holidays, according to police officials. Border Guard Bangladesh personnel were deployed to maintain order.

Export stakes

The ready-made garment industry, the world's largest after China, contributes about 10% of gross domestic product, employs about 4 million workers and generates more than 80% of export earnings. Chowdhury warned that prolonged closures could delay export shipments and buyer payments. Manufacturers cite rising production costs, periodic gas and electricity shortages, and energy market uncertainty as pressures.