{
  "id": 17552442,
  "title": "RM425 a month to make clothes for the world? Bangladesh workers want better pay",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/rm425-a-month-to-make-clothes-for-the-world-bangladesh-workers-want",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-01T06:35:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/money/2026/11/01/rm425-a-month-to-make-clothes-for-the-world-bangladesh-workers-want-better-pay/241571"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "DHAKA, November 1 — In response to ongoing protests, Bangladesh has established a new board to examine the minimum wage for garment workers in a bid to quell unrest that has disrupted industrial centers near the capital. Despite this action, thousands of demonstrators continued their rallies in industrial regions around Dhaka, resulting in confrontations with law enforcement, who responded with tear gas and sound grenades. The garment industry serves as the backbone of Bangladesh's export-dependent economy, providing employment to millions and generating the majority of the nation's foreign earnings.\n\nThe new wage board comprises representatives from the government, labor unions, and factory owners. Labour Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury expressed the government's intent at a press conference in Dhaka, stating that discussions were ongoing with labor leaders and factory owners. Choudhury claimed that a faction attempting to destabilize the government and cause public hardship was exploiting the workers. The minister urged the workers to resume their work at the factories.\n\nHowever, labor leaders emphasized that their demands extend beyond the formation of the wage board, citing inflation and the escalating costs of living. According to Kalpona Akhter from the Bangladesh Centre for Workers Solidarity, garment workers currently earn approximately 13,000 taka (RM425) per month. Akhter stated that the workers are now demanding a wage exceeding 30,000 taka, taking into account inflation and the increasing expenses of daily life. Thousands of clothing factories throughout the country manufacture items such as T-shirts, jeans, and sweaters for prominent retailers in Europe and the United States. The industry is also aiming to expand its reach beyond its traditional markets, having recently gained access to Japan and exploring new export destinations as it competes with regional competitors like Vietnam.",
  "summary": "DHAKA, Nov 1 — Bangladesh formed a new board today to review the minimum wage for garment workers, as authorities...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}