Bangladesh Forms Wage Board After Garment Worker Protests

The Government of Bangladesh will establish a wage board on Sunday to review pay for garment workers after widespread protests shut dozens of factories and sparked violent clashes with police. Workers are demanding a minimum monthly wage of 30,000 taka ($245), which is more than double the current rate of 12,500 taka, citing the increasing costs of healthcare, housing, and food.

Demonstrations centered in Dhaka and the Ashulia manufacturing hub, where workers blocked intersections and approximately 30 factories declared holidays. Police responded to the unrest by deploying sound grenades and tear gas, resulting in injuries to both officers and protesters.

Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury urged workers to return to their posts, warning that continued closures could delay export shipments and jeopardize payments from international buyers. The ready-made garment industry employs roughly 4 million people and generates over 80% of the country's export earnings.