Garment Wage Protests Disrupt Dhaka and Nearby Industrial Areas

Garment workers demanding higher wages demonstrated in Dhaka’s Mirpur and nearby industrial areas on Monday, with road blockades and clashes disrupting transport and factory operations.

AFP reported that police used tear gas to disperse protesters in Mirpur. In Ashulia, security personnel also used stun grenades as demonstrations continued. Workers cited increasing food, housing and utility expenses while demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk30,000.

Reuters reported that renewed unrest forced 679 garment factories to suspend production across affected manufacturing districts on Monday. The government had formed a six-member wage board on Sunday to examine workers’ demands.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed warned against violence while saying the government wanted to protect workers’ rights and maintain production. Industry associations cautioned that prolonged disruption could delay export shipments and undermine commitments to international buyers.