Bangladesh sets up wage board as garment unrest shuts factories

· Economy · Bangladesh

Bangladesh has set up a wage board to address garment workers' demands after violent protests shut hundreds of factories. Workers are seeking a minimum monthly wage of 30,000 taka, more than double the current 12,500 taka, as living costs and inflation squeeze households. During the unrest, workers blocked roads, vandalised factories and clashed with police, prompting 679 factories to halt production before reopening. The dispute highlights labour conditions in a sector that supplies global clothing brands.

Why it matters：Wage disputes in a major garment exporter can ripple through global clothing supply chains and pressure brands on labour standards.

Key points

  • The government set up a wage board to review demands.
  • Workers want the minimum wage raised from 12,500 to 30,000 taka.
  • 679 factories halted production during the protests.

Sources (original reporting)

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