GAZIPUR, Bangladesh – Garment factories in Bangladesh's key industrial district of Gazipur have halted operations indefinitely, with at least 13 units shutting down and five others declaring a one-day holiday amid escalating worker protests. Demonstrators are demanding a 140% increase in the minimum monthly wage, citing insufficient income to cover rising living costs.
The latest wave of unrest, which began Sunday morning in Gazipur's Konabari and Mouchak industrial areas, saw workers attempting to block the vital Dhaka-Tangail highway. Law enforcement responded with tear gas and sound grenades to disperse the crowds, deploying additional security personnel across the industrial belt to prevent further gatherings.
Workers Demand Significant Wage Increase
Workers are pressing for the minimum monthly wage to be raised from 12,500 taka (approximately $100) to 30,000 taka (about $240). This substantial increase comes as the country's Minimum Wage Board is scheduled to convene on Monday, November 16, to discuss a revised pay structure. The board, formed on November 1, is expected to finalize its recommendations by the end of November, with a new scale projected to take effect from December 1.
Factory owners, represented by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), have confirmed their attendance at Monday's meeting to submit a wage proposal. However, they have warned that continued participation in future discussions hinges on the restoration of normal production in industrial areas. Owners previously indicated that units facing persistent work stoppages could be closed indefinitely without wages, citing provisions under Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act.
Impact on Bangladesh's Vital Industry
Bangladesh is the world's second-largest garment exporter, employing over four million workers and accounting for more than 80% of the country's export earnings. The ready-made garment industry supplies major international retailers including H&M, Zara, and Gap. Factory owners express concerns that prolonged unrest during the crucial production season for spring and summer collections could lead to delayed shipments, erode overseas buyers' confidence, and trigger order cancellations.
The current disruptions follow weeks of earlier violent protests, which saw demonstrators block major highways and set fire to vehicles. Authorities have deployed Border Guard Bangladesh personnel, Ansar units, and the Special Response Battalion alongside police to maintain order, with executive magistrates overseeing security arrangements.