Garment industry workers in Bangladesh have been protesting for the past three days, resulting in significant disruptions across major industrial hubs. The demonstrations, which began on October 31, have involved blocking highways, vandalising vehicles, and clashing with police. Workers are demanding higher wages amid a backdrop of rising inflation and stagnant salaries, which have led to a standstill in parts of the vital manufacturing sector.

The unrest coincides with a projected economic slowdown, with the World Bank estimating a GDP growth of only 3.4 per cent for FY2025-26, marking the slowest growth since the pandemic year of 2020. As workers continue to take to the streets, the government has accused the Awami League, led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and alleged external influences of inciting the violence.

In recent years, Hasina’s leadership has been credited with substantial growth in the ready-made garment industry, which employs approximately four million workers and accounts for 80 per cent of Bangladesh’s export earnings. However, the current unrest has led to the shutdown of hundreds of factories, affecting nearly one million workers.

Details of the Protests and Violence

The protests escalated over the weekend, particularly in Gazipur, one of the largest garment hubs in Bangladesh. Workers clashed with police after blocking the Dhaka-Tangail Highway, resulting in at least 30 injuries as law enforcement employed baton charges and tear gas to disperse crowds. Reports indicate that protesters vandalised numerous vehicles, including a police car, during these confrontations.

The situation further deteriorated in Dhaka’s Mirpur area, where workers blocked key intersections and engaged in violent clashes with security personnel. Protesters reportedly hurled bricks and stones, prompting police to respond with tear gas and water cannons. The unrest has also led to the vandalism of factory premises and the destruction of a police box in Konabari.

As the protests continued on November 2, police attempted to disperse crowds in Mirpur while fresh blockades were reported in Gazipur. The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association has indicated that at least 529 factories declared holidays over the weekend due to the unrest, leaving nearly 1 lakh workers without jobs. Although some factories resumed operations, uncertainty looms over the sector as protests persist.

Workers’ Demands and Govt Response

The primary demand of the protesting workers is for an increase in the minimum wage to Tk 30,000, significantly higher than the current Tk 12,500. The last wage revision occurred in December 2023, when it was raised from Tk 8,000. The rising costs of living, including food, housing, and healthcare, have severely impacted workers’ purchasing power, prompting the call for higher wages.

Labour Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury announced the formation of a six-member minimum wage board on November 1, which includes representatives from various sectors. Despite this effort, protests have continued, with fresh demonstrations reported in multiple industrial areas. The government has increasingly attributed the unrest to political interference, particularly from the Awami League and alleged external actors.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has instructed authorities to safeguard workers’ interests while ensuring the continuity of production in the garment sector. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has claimed that individuals from “across the border” are inciting unrest among workers, while Labour Minister Chowdhury has pointed to the Awami League’s involvement in the disturbances. As the situation unfolds, the government faces the dual challenge of restoring order while addressing the underlying wage issues that have led to the protests.

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