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Police in Bangladesh used tear gas to disperse thousands of protesting workers who set a bus on fire near the capital city on Tuesday. These demonstrations come as the country anticipates a new announcement regarding the minimum wage for millions of garment laborers.
Bangladesh is home to approximately 3,500 garment factories, responsible for nearly 85% of the country's annual $55 billion exports. These factories supply products for renowned fashion brands such as Levi's, Zara, and H&M. However, many workers in the sector face challenging working conditions, with the majority being women who earn a minimum monthly wage of 8,300 taka ($75).
In recent days, workers have initiated strikes to demand a substantial increase in their wages, while employers have offered only a 25% wage hike. The state-appointed minimum wage board panel, composed of representatives from manufacturers, unions, and wage experts, is scheduled to announce the new minimum wage on Tuesday.
Tensions flared in the industrial city of Gazipur as roughly 6,000 workers walked out of their workplaces and staged protests upon hearing rumors that the authorities might increase their wages to only about half of what they demanded. The situation underscores the challenges faced by the Bangladesh garment industry in addressing worker compensation and improving working conditions.
