Bangladesh Garment Workers Strike for 30,000 Taka Minimum Wage

Readymade garment workers in Bangladesh launched widespread protests starting October 31, 2026, demanding a minimum monthly wage of 30,000 taka, more than double the current rate of approximately 12,500 to 13,000 taka. The unrest spread across industrial hubs including Dhaka, Gazipur, Ashulia, and Narayanganj, resulting in the suspension of operations at nearly 700 factories and affecting approximately one million workers.

Demonstrations escalated into violent clashes, with protesters blocking major highways, torching police vehicles, and vandalizing factories. Law enforcement responded with tear gas, sound grenades, and water cannons, resulting in dozens of arrests and injuries to at least 58 police officers. To restore order, the government deployed multiple platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh.

In response to the crisis, Tarique Rahman, the Prime Minister, convened emergency meetings and established a six-member wage board on November 1 to review pay scales. While the government aims to balance workers' rights with export stability, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed alleged that the unrest was instigated by supporters of the banned Awami League to destabilize the country. He warned that those engaging in unlawful activities under the guise of labor movements would be tackled with an "iron hand."

Industry leaders from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association warned that continued disruptions could lead to the invocation of "no work, no pay" provisions. Conversely, labor representatives argue that factory owners should negotiate better prices with international buyers to afford higher wages amid rising inflation.