Thousands of garment workers in Bangladesh began protesting for higher minimum wages on 31 October 2026. The demonstrations turned violent and forced more than 670 factories to suspend operations.

The protests reflect growing pressure from inflation and rising living costs. Workers are demanding a minimum monthly wage of 30,000 Bangladeshi taka (approximately US$245), compared with the current 12,500 taka (approximately US$100). This represents an increase of 17,500 taka, or 140%. 

Demonstrations spread across major garment-producing areas in Dhaka and surrounding industrial areas. Clashes have left at least 50 people injured, including garment workers, police officers, journalists and bystanders. According to witnesses, police charged at protesting workers with batons and fired tear gas and sound grenades to disperse them. Some factories were vandalised, while protesters also set fire to police vehicles. Meanwhile, police recovered three suspected crude explosive devices outside a factory and informed the Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU).

In response, the government formed a six-member wage board on 1 November under the Ministry of Labour and Employment to review minimum wages. It appointed five new members representing employers, workers and an independent category, alongside an existing chairman. The board is responsible for negotiating a revised minimum wage structure. Its first meeting was scheduled for 4 November 2026.

Workers continued protesting despite the announcement. The previous wage board had set the current minimum wage of 12,500 taka in late 2023. This is far lower than 2025 estimates by the Anker Research Institute of a monthly living wage: 30,459 taka in Dhaka and 25,166 taka in surrounding industrial towns. Inflation further increased the pressure on workers’ wages. According to official figures, annual inflation reached 8.34% in September 2026. Food inflation stood at 7.22%, while non-food inflation reached 9.30%.

The unrest has implications for Bangladesh’s economy. Its ready-made garment (RMG) industry employs more than four million workers directly, with women accounting for over half the workforce. The industry generates more than 80% of the country’s export earnings and contributes roughly 10% of gross domestic product (GDP). Garment employment also indirectly supports an estimated 40 million people, nearly a quarter of Bangladesh’s population.

Bangladesh is the world’s second-largest garment exporter after China, accounting for nearly 7% of the global market. The country supplies clothing to more than 150 countries through around 4,000 factories.

The United States is Bangladesh’s largest individual garment export market, while the European Union (EU) is its largest regional market, with Germany, the UK, Spain, and France being major destinations. Bangladesh is also seeking to increase exports to Japan, Australia and other Asian markets. Industry representatives argue that international fashion brands must offer fairer purchasing prices to support higher wages.

Learn more about apparel industry- Summary article: unfair trade, unfair labor

Learn more about wage for garment workers- Behind the Scenes of the Fashion Industry

Government officials meet labour leaders to discuss garment-sector unrest in Dhaka on November 2, 2026. (Photo: Press Information Department / Wikimedia Commons [Public Domain])