In Bangladesh, garment workers staged demonstrations and blocked roads in several industrial areas today, demanding a minimum monthly wage of 30,000 taka. As per the media reports, demonstrations have disrupted traffic and triggered clashes with police in Dhaka and Gazipur. In the capital, hundreds of workers from several garment factories blocked the Mirpur-10 intersection, bringing traffic on connecting roads to a standstill.

Clashes broke out when police attempted to disperse the protesters. Police used batons and tear gas, while a police vehicle was set on fire in the Mirpur-11 area.

In Gazipur, workers blocked several points of the Dhaka-Tangail Highway, including Palli Bidyut, Konabari, Bhogra and Naojor, disrupting movement and prompting clashes with law enforcement personnel. Police fired tear gas and sound grenades after protesters threw bricks and stones. Authorities announced the closure of most garment factories in the affected areas.

Meanwhile, garment workers in Ashulia walked out of factories and blocked the Abdullahpur-Baipail road, halting production. Police said all factories in the Narsinghpur area had been closed amid the unrest.

Amid the escalating protests, the government has constituted a six-member minimum wage board to review the wage structure for garment workers. The Labour and Employment Ministry announced the decision and urged workers to return to work.

The board, comprising representatives of employers, workers and neutral members, will determine the revised minimum wage under the Bangladesh Labour Act.