‘Going hungry’: Garment workers in Bangladesh say wages barely cover needs

Garment workers in Bangladesh continued their fourth day of wage protests on Tuesday, facing police intervention with tear gas as unrest spread and disrupted factory operations and transportation in the country's crucial export sector. The protests began on Saturday and have grown more intense despite the government's formation of a six-member wage board to examine pay in the garment industry, the world's second-largest apparel exporter after China.

The sector, which employs around 4 million people and contributes more than 80% of Bangladesh's export earnings, is in the peak production season for spring and summer orders. Factories in key industrial zones around Dhaka, including Ashulia, Gazipur, and Mirpur, saw clashes and attempts to block major highways. Over 700 factories suspended operations or declared holidays following the unrest, with workers demanding a minimum monthly wage of 30,000 taka, up from the current 12,500 taka, citing rising living costs and inflation.

The wage dispute has raised concerns about potential delays in shipments and damage to Bangladesh's reputation as a dependable sourcing center amid competition with countries like Vietnam and India for global apparel orders.