Bangladesh’s newly formed wage board announced plans to raise the minimum wage for garment workers by year-end, following violent protests that shut down hundreds of factories. The board, created in response to worker demands for higher pay, did not specify the amount of the increase. The unrest, centered in cities like Dhaka, Ashulia, and Gazipur, threatened supply chains for global brands including H&M, Zara, and Uniqlo.
Workers, earning as little as $100 monthly, demanded a raise to $242 — a 140% increase — citing the rising cost of living. Mohammad Helal, a 26-year-old worker in Ashulia, said his current pay of under $140 is insufficient to support himself and his parents in Rajshahi. Police responded to protests with batons and water cannons; at least one protester died and dozens were injured.
The Border Guard was deployed, and some protesters set fire to police vehicles. As of Thursday, many factories resumed operations, though some workers remained skeptical without a concrete figure. The six-member wage board, including worker and industry representatives, aims to announce the new rate by next month, with implementation expected in January.
Source: New York Times Business · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing