The garment industry in Bangladesh employs about four million workers producing apparel for major global brands including H&M, Primark, and Zara.
Bangladesh is the world’s second‑largest exporter of ready‑to‑wear garments after China, and prolonged unrest could impact international buyers.
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) are urging authorities to protect factories.
“BGMEA and BKMEA have questioned the justification of continuing to participate in wage board negotiations without any assurance that the factories will be protected,” said BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan.
“Garment factories that have been unable to continue production due to the ongoing unrest will remain indefinitely closed from tomorrow under… Bangladesh’s labour law.”
On 1 November the government formed a minimum wage board to recommend a revised pay structure for workers.
The board, chaired by a senior district judge, said at its first meeting it would finalise any recommendations by the end of November.
Once it is put in place, the revised pay structure is expected to take effect from SAI December.
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