Garment factories in Bangladesh began reopening on Monday, November 2, but protests over wages continued in industrial areas, leaving uncertainty over production and transport as the government starts reviewing workers’ pay demands.
Workers are demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000, up from the current Tk 12,500. The dispute has disrupted factory operations, blocked roads and raised concerns about the impact on export orders in one of Bangladesh’s most important industries.
The government formed a six-member minimum wage board on Sunday to recommend a revised wage structure. However, the board’s creation does not mean workers’ demand has been accepted, and demonstrations continued after the announcement.
Protests continue despite wage board
On Monday morning, garment workers again blocked the Dhaka–Tangail highway in the Palli Bidyut area of Gazipur. The blockade began at around 8:30am, according to local reporting, with thousands of workers gathering in the area and disrupting traffic.
Industrial police and other law enforcement agencies were working to restore movement and bring the situation under control.
The latest demonstrations followed unrest on Sunday across parts of Dhaka, Gazipur, Savar and Ashulia. Clashes, arson and road blockades accompanied the wage protests, while hundreds of factories suspended operations or declared holidays.
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) reported disruptions affecting 529 factories on November 1, with approximately 987,190 workers leaving their workplaces. These figures describe the previous day’s disruption, rather than permanent closures or job losses.
Reuters reported on Monday that factories had begun reopening, although concerns remained about renewed unrest and its effects on production.
What will the wage board do?
The six-member board brings together representatives of workers, employers, the government and independent members. It has been tasked with reviewing the minimum wage structure for the ready-made garment sector.
Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury announced the board’s formation on Sunday and urged workers to return to their workplaces.
The dispute centres on the gap between workers’ requested pay and the existing minimum wage. Workers argue that rising living costs have made it increasingly difficult to cover essentials such as food, housing, transport and healthcare.
The employers’ side has pointed to higher production costs, energy-market uncertainty, global economic pressures and challenges in securing export orders. Industry representatives have said that any revised wage structure must balance workers’ living standards with factories’ ability to remain operational.
The board’s recommendations and the subsequent government decision will determine whether the existing minimum wage changes. No new minimum wage had been approved in the reports available on Monday.
Why the dispute matters to Bangladesh’s economy
Bangladesh’s ready-made garment industry employs around four million people and generates more than 80% of the country’s export earnings, according to Reuters.
Prolonged disruption could affect production schedules, transport, shipment deadlines and relationships with international buyers. The consequences could extend beyond factory owners and workers to suppliers, transport operators and businesses that depend on garment exports.
At the same time, the wage dispute highlights the challenge of balancing export competitiveness with the purchasing power of workers whose labour underpins the industry.
The immediate question is whether the newly formed board can produce a credible wage recommendation while factories remain operational and workers’ concerns are addressed.
For now, factory reopenings offer only a partial easing of the disruption. Continued demonstrations show that the wage dispute remains unresolved, and the next steps by the board, employers and worker representatives will be important in determining whether industrial activity stabilises.
Comments
0