Thousands of garment workers in Bangladesh blocked main roads and clashed with police on Monday, demanding that their minimum wage be increased to more than double the current wage. These protests are spreading to various industrial areas across the country.
Protest Locations in Gazipur and Mirpur
Hundreds of workers in the Gazipur area, located north of the capital Dhaka, blocked the Dhaka-Tangail road and damaged several vehicles. A large crowd also took to the streets in the Mirpur area, and police used tear gas to disperse them.
The protests come as the government announced on Sunday that a wage board will soon be formed to review the minimum wage in the garment industry. The Bangladeshi garment industry, which employs millions, is the country's largest source of export revenue. Bangladesh is the second-largest exporter of garments in the world after China and produces for many of the largest international clothing brands.
Reasons for the Protests and Government Response
Labor leaders state that workers' grievances extend beyond the formation of a wage board and relate to rising prices and living costs. Protesters are demanding a wage of 30,000 taka (241 dollars) per month, while their current wage is about 13,000 taka per month.
Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, emphasized in an emergency cabinet meeting held on Sunday that workers' rights must be respected and their living standards improved. Asaduzzaman Khan, the Minister of Home Affairs, told reporters after the meeting, "The Prime Minister has asked us to ensure workers' rights and to continue production and exports without interruption." He also added that law enforcement agencies have been instructed to deal with those involved in violence and disorder.
Kamrul Hasan, the Secretary-General of the Ekota Workers Federation, told reporters that some labor leaders have resorted to hiding amid the protests. He stated, "We were not prepared for this unrest, as the wage board had already been formed. But now workers are protesting over wages and other unresolved issues."
Industry representatives, who wish to remain anonymous, reported that workers from at least 529 factories in Dhaka and surrounding industrial areas, including Savar, Ashulia, Jirani, and Gazipur, went on strike on Sunday.
