DHAKA, November 5, 2026 — Renewed garment-worker protests forced more than 100 factories in Ashulia to suspend operations on Thursday, Reuters reported. Demonstrators blocked a major highway, while police used tear gas and sound grenades following clashes in some areas.
Workers are demanding a monthly minimum wage above Tk 30,000, compared with the current Tk 12,500, citing rising living costs. Factory owners have raised concerns about production costs, export deadlines and international competitiveness.
A wage board is working toward a revised pay structure from December, with the first payments under it expected in January. The size of the increase has not been finalised. Reuters reported calmer conditions in parts of Savar and Gazipur.
Bangladesh’s garment industry employs roughly four million people and accounts for more than 80% of export earnings. Accounts of confrontations and responsibility for violence remain attributed to the parties involved.
Source: Reuters, November 5, 2026.
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