Politics · Other · 2 hrs ago
Bangladesh forms wage board as garment workers continue protests
Bangladesh has formed a six-member board to review garment workers’ minimum wage after protests disrupted industrial areas.
Thousands of workers continued demonstrating around Dhaka and other industrial centers, despite calls to return to work.
They want a monthly minimum wage of 30,000 taka, more than double the current 12,500 taka.
Workers say rising costs for food, housing, transport and healthcare have reduced what their wages can buy.
Clashes with police and factory closures disrupted work and transport, with police using tear gas and water cannon in Dhaka.
The garment industry employs millions and provides most of Bangladesh’s export earnings, so prolonged disruption could delay shipments and payments.
The board is tasked with deciding a new minimum wage, but the sources do not say when it will make a decision.
Bangladesh formed a six-member wage board to review garment workers’ minimum pay as protests demanding higher wages continued.
Workers are seeking a minimum monthly wage of 30,000 taka, more than double the current 12,500 taka.
Thousands of workers demonstrated in and around Dhaka on Nov. 1, with clashes reported between protesters and police.
The unrest disrupted transport and factory operations, and about 25 to 30 factories were shut, according to one police official.
Workers said rising costs of food, housing, transport and healthcare had eroded their purchasing power.
- Who
- Garment workers, the Bangladesh government, factory owners and police.
- What
- The government formed a six-member board to review the minimum wage as protests for higher pay continued.
- When
- Nov. 1, 2026; protests had begun on Oct. 31.
- Where
- Dhaka and surrounding industrial areas, including Ashulia and Gazipur, Bangladesh.
- Why
- Workers are seeking higher pay, saying rising living costs have eroded their purchasing power.
Garment workers
Bangladesh government and factory owners
Minimum wage
Garment workers
Workers are demanding a monthly minimum of 30,000 taka, more than double the current 12,500 taka.
Bangladesh government and factory owners
The government formed a board to review the minimum wage and urged workers to return to work.
Protest action
Garment workers
Workers continued demonstrations to press for higher pay.
Bangladesh government and factory owners
Government and industry representatives warned that prolonged disruption could delay export shipments and payments.
Protests in Ashulia led dozens of factories to suspend operations.
Bangladesh announced a six-member wage board to review garment workers’ pay.
Thousands of workers continued protesting, while police used tear gas and water cannon in Dhaka, according to the Straits Times.
- Proposed minimum wage
- 30,000 taka per month
- Current minimum wage
- 12,500 taka per month
- Wage board
- Six members representing the government, workers and factory owners
- Factories shut
- 25 to 30, according to Gazipur Industrial Police Superintendent Mohammad Amjad Hossain
- Industry contribution
- About 10% of Bangladesh’s gross domestic product
3 sources
What people are saying
The issue of forming the wage board has been resolved. There will be no more problems now,
The workers should return to work and work smoothly,