Bangladesh’s garment-worker wage protests entered a fourth day on Tuesday, November 3, as police fired tear gas at demonstrators, clashes disrupted transport, and factory closures threatened production and export shipments.
Workers are demanding a minimum monthly wage of 30,000 taka, more than double the current 12,500 taka. They say rising costs for essential goods have reduced what their wages can buy. The government formed a six-member board on November 1 to review pay, but this has not stopped the demonstrations.
Clashes were reported in industrial areas around Dhaka, including Ashulia, Gazipur and Mirpur. Police said some demonstrators threw bricks, and officers used tear gas and grenades designed to make a loud sound. Dozens of people, including police officers, were reported injured.
Factories in Gazipur and Ashulia again stopped work or announced holidays. This followed the closure of nearly 700 plants the previous day, though some workplaces had partly reopened. The unrest threatens to disrupt a busy period for producing spring and summer export orders.
The industry employs about four million people and accounts for more than 80% of Bangladesh’s export earnings. Manufacturers have warned that long stoppages could delay shipments. Workers continue to press for higher pay.