Dhaka, Bangladesh: Clashes erupted between garment workers and police in Dhaka’s Mirpur area as protests over wage demands entered their fourth day.
Police resorted to tear gas and baton charges to control the situation. This unrest followed a partial resumption of operations in several garment factories, particularly in Mirpur, with workers initially returning to their workplaces. However, tensions escalated again as workers left the factories and took to the streets, prompting police intervention.
Authorities stated that the situation is now largely under control, with police patrolling the area. A police officer at the scene described those gathered as ‘troublemakers’ attempting to create instability, asserting that no garment workers were present among them. These developments unfold amid ongoing protests by garment workers demanding a significant increase in their minimum monthly wages, from the current BDT 12,500 to BDT 30,000.
Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed alleged that industrialists and factory owners linked to the former Awami League government were instigating the unrest. He claimed that some former lawmakers and ministers were involved in fueling the agitation, using workers to create instability through highway blockades, arson, and violence. The minister added that the government has collected evidence, including video footage and audio recordings, and has taken action against some individuals.
Salahuddin also accused some factory owners of deliberately shutting down their establishments to worsen the situation. BGMEA and BKMEA leaders have agreed to provide a list of such factories. The Home Minister emphasized that genuine garment workers and their organizations are not involved in the violence. He confirmed that a minimum wage board was constituted on Sunday, and the revised wage structure would be determined through discussions, with the existing three-year wage review period ending in December. The protests have also spread to industrial areas like Gazipur’s Konabari and Chandra.