Bangladesh Garment Protests Force Closure of 529 Factories Over Wages
Massive garment worker protests in Bangladesh have shut 529 factories and halted nearly one million jobs, as employees demand higher wages amid soaring living costs.
Violent protests by garment workers in Bangladesh have forced the closure of 529 factories, disrupting the work of nearly one million employees amid demands for more than a doubling of the minimum wage. Demonstrators blocked roads and clashed with police, who deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds across major industrial zones.
According to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, the shutdowns affected 529 factories and 987,190 workers. The crisis threatens a critical pillar of the national economy, which supplies apparel to leading Western fashion brands and retailers. Employees are demanding an increase in the monthly minimum wage from 12,500 taka, approximately 102 dollars, to 30,000 taka, or about 245 dollars. Protesters argue that soaring inflation covering food, housing, transport, and healthcare has severely eroded their purchasing power, making current incomes insufficient to support their families.
Government Response and Industry Stance
In an effort to quell the unrest, the Bangladeshi government announced the formation of a special committee to review sector wages. Minister of Labour and Employment Ariful Haque Chowdhury stated that the panel was established following consultations with labor and industry representatives, urging workers to return to their jobs. The six-member committee includes two labor representatives, two employer representatives, a government official, and an independent member. Despite the announcement, protests continued, with officials warning that prolonged disruptions could delay export shipments and international payments.
Bangladesh's garment industry ranks as the second largest globally after China, employing roughly four million workers and generating over 80 percent of export earnings alongside nearly 10 percent of gross domestic product. Meanwhile, factory owners argue that the wage demands are unrealistic. Salim Rahman, first vice president of the manufacturers' association, noted that such a sharp increase is unfeasible given thin profit margins, fierce international competition, rising production costs, and energy market volatility.
