Dhaka: Garment workers in Bangladesh’s Gazipur and Dhaka staged protests on Sunday, blocking major highways and roads to demand a minimum monthly wage of BDT 30,000, equivalent to approximately Rs 23,000.
The demonstrations disrupted traffic in several areas and turned violent at some locations. In response, the government announced the formation of a new minimum wage board and appealed to workers to return to their factories.
The current minimum wage for garment workers was announced in November 2023 and came into effect in December that year. The existing wage arrangement is due to expire next month.
Bangladesh's garment industry employs more than four million people across approximately 4,000 registered factories. The country is the world's second-largest apparel exporter after China, with garment exports valued at $38.70 billion in the 2025–26 financial year, according to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
Protests Disrupt Traffic in Gazipur and Dhaka
In Gazipur, workers blocked the Dhaka-Tangail highway while demanding higher wages. According to local media reports, protesters carrying sticks occupied several points along the highway in Kaliakair upazila, around 55 kilometres from Dhaka.
Some workers reportedly marked their attendance at nearby factories before joining the demonstrations.
The situation escalated in Konabari, where protesters allegedly set fire to a police box located along the highway. Local police officer-in-charge Iftekhar Hossain confirmed the incident, according to the Dhaka Tribune.
Border Guard Bangladesh deployed five platoons to assist authorities in controlling the situation.
In Dhaka, garment workers from several parts of Mirpur blocked a major road, affecting traffic movement. Police personnel were deployed, while the gates of a nearby metro station were closed amid the unrest, Prothom Alo reported.
Government Announces New Minimum Wage Board
Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury announced the formation of a new minimum wage board at a press conference held at the Secretariat.
The minister said the government was giving serious consideration to the workers' demands and urged them to end the road blockades and resume work.
He said the wage board had been constituted with representatives proposed by the workers and called for its members to meet at the earliest opportunity.
Further discussions on the revised minimum wage will involve representatives of garment workers and factory owners.
Who Are the Members of the New Wage Board?
Senior District and Sessions Judge Sheikh Ashfaqur Rahman has been appointed chairperson of the wage board.
The board includes representatives from factory owners, workers and an independent member.
Factory owners' representatives:
ABM Shamsuddin, director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.
Asif Ayub, joint secretary-general of the Bangladesh Employers' Federation.
Workers' representatives:
Babul Akhter, general secretary of the Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers Federation.
Anwar Hossain, president of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal.
Independent representative:
Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, professor of public administration at the University of Dhaka.
The newly formed board is expected to begin discussions on the wage issue, although the final minimum wage will depend on consultations and its recommendations.
