Nearly 350 garment factories suspend production amid fresh labour unrest
Nearly 350 garment factories suspended production on Wednesday amid ongoing labour unrest and fears of further agitation, according to factory owners and industry leaders.
Meanwhile, fresh unrest erupted in Fatullah, Narayanganj, one of the country's major garment manufacturing hubs, as workers continued demonstrations demanding higher wages.
"As far as we know, about 350 factories have had to suspend production due to unrest," Mijanur Rahman, vice-president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), told Daily Waadaa.
In Narayanganj's Fatullah, garment workers staged demonstrations and attempted to block roads, disrupting traffic and affecting industrial activities.
Police intervened to disperse protesters, triggering further tensions in the area.
Meanwhile, demonstrations and road blockades continued in parts of Savar and Gazipur, disrupting traffic and forcing several factories to suspend operations or send workers home.
The situation has raised concerns among manufacturers about production losses, shipment delays and the industry's ability to meet international buyers' deadlines.
Against this backdrop, the newly-formed six-member Minimum Wage Board held its first meeting on Wednesday to review the existing salary structure of garment workers.
Following the meeting, board chairman and District and Sessions Judge Syed Azad Subhani said the revised wage structure would take effect in December 2026.
Workers are expected to receive their first salaries under the new structure in January 2027.
However, the board has yet to determine the amount of the proposed wage increase.
Garment workers have been demanding a minimum monthly wage of 30,000 taka, up from the existing 12,500 taka, citing rising living costs, including food prices, house rents, transportation and other essential expenses.
The prolonged unrest has intensified pressure on the country's garment industry, which remains heavily dependent on uninterrupted production and timely shipments to international buyers.