Hundreds of garment workers in Bangladesh have clashed with police during demonstrations demanding higher wages, disrupting traffic and industrial activity in several areas around the capital, Dhaka.
Bangladesh, a South Asian country with a population of around 170 million, is the world’s second-largest garment exporter after China. Its textile industry employs millions of workers and accounts for the bulk of the country’s export earnings.
In Gazipur, north of Dhaka, hundreds of workers blocked the Dhaka-Tangail highway and vandalised several vehicles. Meanwhile, large groups of demonstrators took to the streets in the Mirpur district, where police used tear gas to disperse the crowds. Protesters also set fire to a police vehicle.
The demonstrations continued despite the government’s announcement on Sunday that it would establish a wage board to review minimum salaries in the garment sector.
Labour leaders, however, said workers’ concerns went beyond the formation of the wage board, pointing to rising inflation and increasing household expenses.
The protesters are demanding a monthly minimum wage of 30,000 taka, more than double their current earnings of approximately 13,000 taka, according to Kalpona Akter of the Bangladesh Centre for Workers Solidarity.
Police also fired stun grenades and tear gas to disperse demonstrators in Ashulia, a suburb of Dhaka that houses several major garment factories.
Workers said rising food prices and utility bills had made it increasingly difficult to meet household expenses.
“Food prices, cooking gas and electricity bills have all gone up — the government must either bring down the prices of essential commodities or raise our wages,” said Mamum, a 28-year-old factory worker.
Another worker, 24-year-old machine operator Sharmin, said garment employees played a vital role in sustaining the country’s economy and deserved to have their demands heard.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed warned that the government would take strict action to prevent further unrest.
He said authorities would deal firmly with individuals involved in unlawful activities and alleged conspiracies under the cover of labour movements.
However, Ahmed also said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had directed officials, following an emergency cabinet meeting late Sunday, to protect workers’ rights and improve their living conditions.
The prime minister also instructed authorities to ensure that industrial production and exports continued without disruption, according to the minister.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s major garment and knitwear manufacturers’ associations warned that prolonged unrest could disrupt factory operations, delay export shipments and undermine the country’s commitments to international buyers.
Kamrul Hasan, general secretary of the Ekota Garments Sramik Federation, said some labour leaders had gone into hiding amid the escalating tensions.
He said workers had continued protesting over wages and other unresolved concerns despite the establishment of the wage board.
In Ashulia, security personnel chased demonstrators as they dispersed into narrow streets. Tear gas spread into densely populated residential areas, affecting families living near the industrial facilities.
A 24-year-old resident, identified only as Kamona, alleged that police fired tear gas shells inside their residential compound, raising concerns about the impact of the crackdown on families and children.
Industry representatives said workers from at least 529 factories in Dhaka and surrounding industrial areas, including Savar, Ashulia, Jirani and Gazipur, had left their workplaces on Sunday.
