Bangladesh Creates Wage Board as Garment Workers Protest for Higher Pay

Bangladesh formed a new board on Sunday, November 1, 2026, to review the minimum wage for garment workers to stop protests that have disrupted industrial areas around Dhaka. Thousands of workers continued their demonstrations on Sunday, leading to clashes with police who fired tear gas and sound grenades. The garment sector is the backbone of the country's export-driven economy, employing millions of people and generating most of its foreign earnings.

Details

The new wage board includes representatives from the government, workers, and factory owners. Labour Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury stated at a news conference in Dhaka that officials had discussed the issue with labour leaders and factory owners for three days. He also claimed that a group trying to destabilize the government and cause public suffering was exploiting the workers, and he urged them to return to factories. However, labour leaders said their problems go beyond the board's creation because of inflation and rising household expenses.

Demands

Workers currently earn about 13,000 taka, which is equal to $106, a month, according to Kalpona Akhter of the Bangladesh Centre for Workers Solidarity. Mr. Akhter told AFP that workers are now demanding a bit more than 30,000 taka to match inflation and the rising cost of living. Thousands of factories across the country make items like T-shirts, jeans, and sweaters for major retailers in Europe and the United States. The industry is also trying to grow past its traditional markets by getting more access to Japan and exploring new export destinations while competing with regional rivals like Vietnam.

Context

Garment exports form a vital part of South Asian trade economies where low-cost manufacturing drives major employment. Wage disputes in this sector often trigger large street demonstrations due to the wide gap between basic pay and rising living costs. Authorities frequently balance factory safety and worker demands to keep international brands from moving orders to other countries.