130 factories cease operation amid garment workers strike in Bangladesh

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - Owners suspended operations Saturday at 130 ready-made garment (RMG) factories in Bangladesh amid back-to-back worker protests regarding a wage hike.

The Ashulia Industrial Police Superintendent, Sarwar Alam, told Anadolu the factories are in Savar, Ashulia, outskirts of the national capital of Dhaka and central Gazipur industrial hubs.

Bangladesh started witnessing deepening labor unrest as RMG industry workers have been demanding an increase in wages since late last month.

The government last week announced a minimum wage of 12,500 taka ($113). But labor organizations rejected the offer and demanded 23,000 taka ($208).
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Director Md. Mohiuddin Rubel told Anadolu that the number of factories joining the protest might increase if the situation remains unchanged.

He said workers' demand for $208 is not logical as the RMG industry in Bangladesh is not yet financially strong.

Owners have opted for a “no fresh employment” strategy due to the unrest.

Meanwhile, police said Saturday that at least 123 factories were vandalized in the central Gazipur district while authorities arrested 88 people in 22 cases.

Bangladesh is the second-largest global exporter of RMG goods after China. It has 4,000 export-oriented factories that employ 4 million workers.