Bangladesh Garment Workers' Protests Against Low Pay Lead to 2 Deaths, Rampant Property Damage
Thousands demand wage hike to cope with rising inflation and living expenses, rejecting manufacturers' offer of 25% increase; widespread unrest disrupts Bangladesh's $55 billion garment industry.
- Amid escalating living costs and inflation, thousands of Bangladesh's garment factory workers went on strike, protesting against the low wages they receive. Workers currently earn a monthly minimum wage of $75 (8,300 takas), often requiring them to work overtime to support their livelihoods.
- The protests turned violent with significant property damage reported, including vandalized buses, blocked roads, and even fires set to shops and factories. The unrest resulted in two fatalities and several injuries during clashes with police.
- The workers rejected the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA)'s offer to increase their salaries by 25% to $90 per month. Instead, the workers demanded a significant wage hike to $208 monthly, almost a threefold increase.
- The widespread protests disrupted Bangladesh's $55 billion garment industry, which is the country's largest exporter and employs about 4 million workers. Significant factory damage and work stoppages may impact global supply chains for major Western clothing brands.
- The ongoing unrest may pose a significant challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, especially amidst rising election tensions between the ruling Awami League and the main opposition group, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
Washington Post 
Associated Press 
South China Morning Post 
CNA 
