Garment Workers’ Protests in Bangladesh Draw International Media Attention, Raising Questions Over Government’s Response

Special Correspondent. Dhaka, November 3, 2026.

Bangladesh’s garment industry has been receiving international media attention after four days of protests, clashes and factory closures demanding a minimum wage of Tk 30,000. In addition to the cost of living for workers, wage inequality and clashes with the police, concerns are also being expressed about the government’s response, the role of law enforcement and the future of the country’s export sector.

The ongoing movement for wage increases and worker dissatisfaction in Bangladesh’s ready-made garment industry has now emerged in the international media. The unrest in Bangladesh’s industrial sector, the world’s second-largest garment exporter, is being portrayed by international media outlets not just as a labor movement, but also as a significant event for the country’s economy, the confidence of international buyers, and the global supply chain.

Workers’ protests continued for a fourth day on Tuesday (November 3), Reuters reported. Clashes, roadblocks and disruptions to factory operations have occurred in various industrial areas including Dhaka, Ashulia, Savar, Gazipur and Mirpur. Police have used tear gas and sound grenades to disperse the protesters. Dozens of people, including policemen, have been injured in the clashes.

Reuters reported that about 700 factories were closed on Monday. The workers’ protests and factory closures have raised concerns about the country’s garment exports, delivery times to international buyers and Bangladesh’s reputation as a reliable manufacturing hub.

The reality of workers’ demands in international media

A Reuters report cited the rising cost of living as the main reason behind the workers’ agitation. Currently, the minimum monthly wage for garment workers is Tk 12,500. The workers are demanding an increase to Tk 30,000.

According to the workers, the rising costs of food, rent, transportation, medical care, and children’s education have made it difficult to survive on current wages. As a result, their demands are not just about higher wages, but also about the ability to meet the minimum cost of living.

The Reuters report also quoted Dhaka University economics professor Selim Raihan as saying that while workers’ demands for wage increases are reasonable, there is a need for step-by-step wage adjustments, productivity increases, and fair prices from international buyers, taking into account the industry’s production costs and competitiveness in the international market.

On the other hand, garment industry owners claim that it is difficult for them to increase wages by such a large amount at once due to rising production costs, energy shortages, and declining demand in the international market.

AFP report on police force and workers’ anger

The French news agency AFP reported on Tuesday that police used force, arrested workers, and deployed paramilitary forces to suppress the protests.

According to the report, despite the government’s call to end the movement and return to the factories, the workers’ protests continued. The police said that 58 police officers were injured in the clashes. At the same time, it was mentioned that the police had filed cases against thousands of unidentified protesters.

The AFP report quotes a worker from Gazipur as saying that law enforcement forces have used force against unarmed workers. According to the workers, the movement is unlikely to stop unless there is effective progress in meeting their demands.

The AFP report also said that workers’ real purchasing power has declined due to rising costs for food, housing, transportation and medical care. The crisis of making a living on current wages has become more pronounced in the context of inflation of about 8 percent.

Government steps: Forming a wage board, strengthening security and controlling movement

In the face of workers’ agitation, the government formed a six-member Minimum Wage Board on November 1. It includes two representatives each from the workers and employers, one government representative, and one neutral member. The board’s responsibility is to review the existing wage structure for garment workers and recommend new wages.

On November 2, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed held a meeting with garment industry owners. At the same time, efforts were made to normalize the situation by discussing with labor leaders. The government has urged workers to return to work.

On the other hand, BGB has been deployed in industrial areas, additional police personnel have been appointed, and surveillance has been increased. The police have claimed that some individuals and groups are infiltrating the movement and inciting violence beyond the real demands of the workers.

Government statements have also alleged local and foreign conspiracies. However, there has been no public detail on who is behind these allegations, what kind of evidence is available, or the specific purpose of the alleged conspiracy.

The gap between workers’ demands and the government’s position

Although the government has presented the formation of a wage board as an initiative to solve the problem, the workers’ movement has not stopped. This shows that the formation of a board alone is not enough to restore the confidence of the workers.

The main demand of the workers is a minimum wage of 30,000 taka. In addition, the movement has also raised demands for an end to blacklisting of workers and other working conditions. As a result, the movement cannot be seen as a single demand for a wage increase.

Meanwhile, during the movement, there have been incidents of attacks on factories, vehicles and police installations, arson and road blockades. These acts of violence have not only separated the movement from the just demands of the workers, but have also caused suffering to the common people and harmed the country’s economy. On the other hand, allegations of excessive use of force by law enforcement agencies in the name of controlling the violence are also complicating the situation.

Concerns over Bangladesh’s image in the international market

Bangladesh’s ready-made garment industry employs about 4 million workers. More than 80 percent of the country’s total export earnings come from this sector. International brands H&M, Zara, and Gap, among others, are major buyers of Bangladesh’s garment industry.

The Reuters report said that prolonged instability could disrupt production and export shipments, which could question Bangladesh’s position as a reliable garment production and supply center for international buyers. At the same time, competing countries such as India and Vietnam could gain an additional advantage in the international market.

However, protecting Bangladesh’s image in the international market is not limited to keeping factories running or controlling workers’ movements. Ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and labor rights for workers is also important to international buyers.

Big challenge before the government in resolving the crisis

International media reports have highlighted two aspects of the Bangladeshi labor movement: on the one hand, workers’ long-standing dissatisfaction with inflation and wage demands in line with the cost of living; and on the other, concerns about the government’s security-focused measures and violence to control the movement.

The biggest challenge for the government now is to address the real causes of workers’ discontent, rather than dismissing the workers’ legitimate demands as political intrigue or law and order issues. At the same time, it is important to protect factory and public safety, ensure impartial investigations into violence, and ensure workers’ right to peacefully voice their demands.

Simply forming a wage board and calling on workers to return to work will not provide a permanent solution to the crisis. The government needs to have a clear position on the board’s recommendations, the timeframe for their implementation, and ensuring wages that are commensurate with the cost of living for workers.

The future of Bangladesh’s garment industry depends not only on retaining orders from international buyers; equally important is the quality of life and rights of the millions of workers who form the foundation of this industry.