Bangladesh garment manufacturers raise workers’ pay amid further protests

DHAKA: Garment manufacturers in Bangladesh have agreed to raise workers’ pay, the commerce minister said, urging people to return to work after a week of violent demonstrations.

Last week at least one worker was killed and dozens wounded during protests over salaries, prompting the government to form a panel of factory owners, union leaders and government officials to investigate the pay demands.

On Sunday at least 20 people were hurt at in further clashes between protesters and police outside Dhaka.

All parties involved agreed to raise wages across 6 of the 7 pay grades, leaving the minimum wages unchanged at 8,000 taka ( US$ 95), Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi told reporters after a meeting of the panel.

Low wages and trade deals with Western countries have made the sector a US$ 30 billion industry accounting for 80 per cent of Bangladesh’s exports, making Bangladesh the world’s secondbiggest garment exporter behind China.

Earlier on Sunday, Siddiqur Rahman, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association ( BGMEA) had threatened to cut off workers’ pay if they did not return to work.

“If you don’t return to your work by tomorrow, you will not be paid any wages and we will shut down factories for an indefinite period,” he said.

“Despite repeated assurance of meeting the demands, the workers are being incited to create unrest.

We will not allow this anymore.” The revised wages are effective from December and will be adjusted from January, Munshi said.

At least 20 people were hurt on Sunday when police used teargas and water cannons to disperse workers blocking a major highway in the Ashulia garment manufacturing belt, on the outskirts of the capital Dhaka, according to Saminur Rahman, a director for the Industrial Police, which patrols the country’s business hubs.

The protests are a test for the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who just won a third straight term in a Dec 30 election. The vote was marred by violence and allegations of widespread rigging and voter intimidation. — Reuters

Bangladeshi striking garments workers march in the streets of Dhaka during a third day of demonstration to demand wage hikes. Bangladesh’s 4,500 textile and clothing factories exported more than US$30 billion worth of apparel last year, making clothing for retailers such as H&M, Walmart, Tesco, Carrefour and Aldi. — AFP photo