Violent demonstrations disrupt Bangladesh’s flagship export industry (VIDEO)

New clashes erupted Monday after more than 500 garment factories were closed following violent wage protests on Sunday Fresh clashes broke out in Bangladesh on Monday between garment workers and police, after a wage strike on Sunday resulted in the closure of more than 500 factories, affected a million jobs, and raised concerns about a disruption in shipments to foreign buyers.The readymade garments industry is the backbone of the South Asian nation’s export sector, generating $39 billion in earnings annually. The country is second only to China in global apparel exports and is the primary manufacturing floor for mass-market retail.Garment industry workers are demanding a 30,000-taka ($241) monthly wage, more than double their current pay of roughly 13,000 taka, Kalpona Akter of the Bangladesh Center for Workers Solidarity was quoted as saying by a local news outlet. The protests turned violent as workers took to the streets and vandalized vehicles. Police fired tear gas to disperse them.The government announced a wage board to consider the workers’ demands after an emergency cabinet meeting on Sunday. However, that failed to placate the workers who said the stir, which intensified...