811-2023 (DHAKA) Tragedy struck in Bangladesh on Wednesday, November 8, as a female worker lost her life, and numerous others sustained injuries during violent clashes between law enforcement and garment workers. The workers were advocating for a substantial increase in their wages, reported the police.
In the wake of a harrowing week marked by confrontations between the police and laborers in the garment industry, the government of Bangladesh announced on Tuesday a significant wage hike. The minimum wage is set to soar by 56.25 per cent, reaching 12,500 taka (equivalent to US$114) per month, effective from December 1. This adjustment signifies the first increase in half a decade.
The confrontations between law enforcement and the workforce escalated when hundreds of laborers in Gazipur, a prominent garment production hub situated on the outskirts of the capital city Dhaka, rejected the proposed pay increase and took to the streets. In response, the police resorted to teargas and rubber bullets to quell the protests.
Ashraf Uddin, a local police officer, described the situation, stating, “The workers blocked roads and vandalised several vehicles. We had to use tear gas, rubber bullets, and sound grenades to disperse the unruly workers, who were throwing brick chips at us.”
Low wages have historically underpinned the growth of Bangladesh’s garment industry, which comprises around 4,000 factories employing approximately 4 million workers. These factories supply prominent brands such as H&M and GAP. The ready-made garment sector plays a pivotal role in the nation’s economy, contributing to nearly 16 per cent of the GDP.
