Bangladesh forms wage board as garment workers protest

Demonstrations held in industrial cities as workers demand wage increase as cost of living rises.Published On 1 Nov 20261 Nov 2026Bangladesh has formed a new wage board to review the minimum wage for garment workers as it tries to quell a protest movement that has disrupted key industrial hubs.Despite the announcement on Sunday, thousands of workers demanding higher wages continued protesting around the capital, Dhaka. Clashes were reported with police, who fired tear gas and sound grenades.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Beyond money: Why young Tunisians are considering emigrationlist 2 of 3About 25,000 rally in Madrid in support of Spain’s state pension schemelist 3 of 3What can a global strike of dockworkers achieve for Gaza?end of listThe garment sector is the backbone of Bangladesh’s export-driven economy, employing millions of workers and generating the bulk of the country’s foreign earnings.Workers are demanding a minimum monthly wage of 30,000 taka ($242), more than double the current wage of 12,500 taka ($101). They said the rising costs of food, housing, transport and healthcare have sharply eroded their purchasing power.The six-member board is to include re...