Wage protests force hundreds of Bangladesh garment factories to close
These factories, which manufacture for brands like H&M and Uniqlo, rely on millions of lowly paid workers.
Wage protests force hundreds of Bangladesh garment factories to close
Hundreds of garment factories in Bangladesh have been compelled to shut after days of protests by workers demanding higher pay.
On Sunday, demonstrations in the capital, Dhaka, turned violent as protesters blocked roads, vandalised factories and set vehicles ablaze. They also clashed with police, who used tear gas to break up the crowds. Police later said dozens of protesters had been arrested.
Workers are calling for a minimum monthly wage of 30,000 taka ($242; £180), more than twice the current rate, saying living costs have risen sharply.
Bangladesh’s textile sector employs about four million workers and produces clothing for major global brands including H&M, Primark and Uniqlo.
Industry concerns are growing that the prolonged unrest could interrupt production and impact overseas buyers, state news agency BSS reported.
The garment industry brings in nearly $40bn a year for Bangladesh, making up around 10% of GDP.
The South Asian country is the world’s second-largest garment exporter after China, but its workers are among the lowest-paid globally, earning about 13,000 taka ($105; £78) a month.
"We want the government to accept our demands and increase our wages. [And] they need to instruct landlords and homeowners not to raise rent and ensure that the prices of essential commodities remain affordable," one female worker told BBC Bangla.
"Food prices, cooking gas and electricity bills have all gone up," Mamun, a 28-year-old factory worker, told AFP. "The government must either bring down the prices of essential commodities or raise our wages."
On Sunday, the government said it had set up a board to review workers’ wages, and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held an emergency meeting with ministers to deal with the unrest.
However, protests continued on Monday in Dhaka and nearby manufacturing centres including Ashulia, Gazipur and Narayanganj.
About 670 factories halted operations on Monday, according to Reuters and AFP, and hundreds in these areas will stay closed on Tuesday.
By Monday, at least 29 protesters had been arrested, according to Dhaka police Deputy Commissioner Mohidul Islam, who said those creating an "unstable environment in the garment factories" would face the law.
Authorities have accused the Awami League, the banned political party of former leader Sheikh Hasina, of exploiting the protest movement to spark violence, though they offered no evidence.
Home minister Salahuddin Ahmed warned of punitive action against protesters who were trying to "destabilise the country" "under the guise of labour protests".
Babul Akhter, a workers’ representative on the wage board, called on protesters to return to work on Monday, promising to "fight for [their] fair wages".
"I tell my fellow workers, return to work. Don't give in to anyone's incitement."