Clothing factories shut in Bangladesh as workers strike over pay
Summary
Workers in Bangladesh’s garment industry are striking for a monthly minimum wage of 30,000 taka, up from the current 12,500 taka. Nearly 150 factories have closed, and protests briefly blocked a highway in Gazipur as wage negotiations continue.Key Facts
- Workers are demanding a monthly minimum wage of 30,000 taka.
- Bangladesh’s current monthly minimum wage is 12,500 taka.
- Nearly 150 factories have closed in garment-producing areas including Savar, Ashulia and Gazipur.
- Protesters blocked the Dhaka-Tangail highway in Gazipur for about an hour before police intervened.
- Police said 13 factories closed on Saturday night and 16 more closed during unrest on Sunday morning.
- Bangladesh’s garment industry generates nearly $40 billion in exports each year and accounts for about 10% of the country’s GDP.
- The garment industry employs about four million workers in Bangladesh.
- A government-appointed wage board plans to make recommendations by the end of November, with a revised pay structure expected to take effect on 1 December.
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