Garment Federations Protest Wage-Board Violence in Dhaka, Demand Punishment for Those Involved

Leaders of the Garments Federation Oikya Parishad have protested vandalism, arson and disorder surrounding the reconstitution of the garment industry's wage board and workers' wage increases. They also demanded that those involved in intimidating the public, blocking roads, vandalising factories and setting fires in the name of protest be identified and face legal action.

The demands were raised at a human chain organised by the Parishad in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Thursday morning (29 October).

Speakers at the human chain said the government has amended the labour law to form a wage board every three years to improve workers' living standards; previously a board was formed every five years. They said the decision has brought relief among working people, and expressed hope it would smooth the path to ensuring fair wages and better living standards.

The speakers said the Parishad has long demanded improved living standards for workers, six months' maternity leave for women workers, education and healthcare, safe employment, workers' colonies in industrial areas and hospitals.

Parishad convener Md Mirza Al Shamim said that following demands from labour organisations, various bodies had written to the minimum wage board, the labour minister, the labour secretary and the prime minister seeking formation of the wage board. In response, the labour minister decided to form the board by October 2026. The labour ministry's process is already visible and a letter on the matter has appeared in the media, he said.

He warned that if violence and disorder erupt while the wage board formation and wage increase process is under way, it would destabilise the country's industrial sector and could also obstruct the announcement of the wages workers expect.

Speakers alleged a conspiracy to stir up protests by spreading false claims of a doubling of garment workers' wages and to create instability in the country. They claimed groups backed by the banned Awami League, allied political parties and associated labour federations are playing a more active role in such activities than before.

They said the three years for forming the wage board will be completed in December 2026. As part of the alleged conspiracy around that timing, outsiders carrying sticks blocked roads in Kaliakair and Konabari in the Gazipur industrial belt and went to factories trying to bring workers out, the speakers alleged.

Strongly condemning such activities, the speakers said linking the process of realising workers' fair demands with violence is unacceptable. They demanded swift legal action against those involved in intimidating the public in the name of road blockades, factory vandalism, arson and disorder, and that conspirators and those involved in fascist activities be identified and brought to justice.

Those present at the human chain included Jago Bangladesh Garments Sramik Federation central general secretary Mohammad Mostafa, Bangladesh Garments Labour Congress central president Shamima Akter, Biplobi Garments Sramik Federation central president Arabindu Bepari (Bindu), Jatiya Trinamool Sramik Federation central general secretary Amir Hamza Khan, Poshak Sramik Trade Union Federation central general secretary Akash Ahmed Babul, and Swadhin Garments Sramik Federation central president Shakil Hossain Mobarak, among leaders of various federations.