Bangladesh PM Refuses Further Wage Increase Amid Ongoing Deadly Protests by Garment Workers

Protesters reject 56.25% pay raise to $113, demanding $208 instead, as strikes leave three dead and over 70 factories vandalized; PM warns of job losses if protests continue.

Bangladesh's Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, has firmly refused the demands of striking garment workers for wage increases beyond a government offer of an approximately 56% raise, resulting in ongoing protests and even deaths.
Despite a government-appointed panel agreeing to raise the minimum wage by 56.25% to $113, unions have rejected this, continuing their demand for $208 which accelerates the protests.
Bangladesh's 3,500 garment factories, which contribute nearly 85% of the country's $55bn annual exports, have been affected by these protests, with three deaths, over 70 factories vandalized, and many shut down as a result.
The Prime Minister has warned of potential job losses if these protests persist, indicating that ensuing factory closures and production disruption will harm the workers' employment prospects.
While notable brands like ASOS, Uniqlo, H&M, C&A, M&S, Aldi, and Next have claimed commitments to paying their workers fair wages, they have refused to support the minimum wage necessary for the workers' survival, provoking criticism from rights groups.