The garment sector showed signs of returning to normal on Thursday after eight days of unrest over minimum wages, with workers resuming production across major industrial belts in Savar, Gazipur and Narayanganj, although sporadic protests in Ashulia forced 70 factories to suspend operations.
The improvement came after days of demonstrations, clashes with police and widespread factory closures that disrupted production in the country’s largest export-earning industry.
While most factories resumed operations, uncertainty over the proposed minimum wage continued to fuel isolated demonstrations, particularly in Ashulia, where workers blocked roads and clashed with police.
Authorities reinforced security across industrial areas, deploying 33 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to prevent further disruptions and facilitate the resumption of factory operations.
The government has already formed a wage board to review workers’ pay, with a revised wage structure expected to take effect in December.
However, the amount of the proposed increase has yet to be announced.
Workers have been demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk30,000, arguing that rising living costs have made their existing salaries inadequate.
Production resumes
Factories in Savar and the Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) resumed production Thursday morning after several days of disruption.
Workers entered their workplaces peacefully, while additional police and BGB personnel remained stationed outside important industrial establishments in Ashulia and Hemayetpur.
Normal operations also resumed across much of Gazipur, including Shafipur, Chandra and Palli Bidyut in Kaliakair, as well as Bhogra Bypass, Konabari, Kashimpur and Salna.
Workers joined their respective shifts without major disruption, bringing relief to factory management after several days of uncertainty.
The situation in Narayanganj also remained largely calm, with workers returning to their workplaces.
Protests disrupt Ashulia
Despite the broader improvement, Ashulia witnessed fresh demonstrations as workers continued demanding clarity over the proposed wage increase.
Workers at several factories initially joined their shifts around 8am and registered attendance before leaving their workplaces and gathering outside nearby factories.
Some demonstrators urged workers from neighbouring establishments to join the protests, prompting factory authorities to suspend operations.
Industrial Police-1 Superintendent Mominul Islam Bhuiyan said 70 of the 1,863 factories under his jurisdiction had declared holidays, while the remaining factories continued operating.
He described the overall situation as stable despite isolated disturbances.
Protesters blocked the Abdullahpur-Baipail road, disrupting traffic before police intervened to clear the highway.
Clashes subsequently erupted in Jamgora, where some protesters allegedly threw bricks and stones at police and vandalised police vehicles.
Police used tear gas and sound grenades to disperse the demonstrators.
Mominul said the unrest began after some workers were dismissed and police detained several individuals during the demonstrations.
He also alleged that outsiders were attempting to provoke workers and disrupt factory operations, including through social media.
Security reinforced
Authorities deployed 33 BGB platoons across major industrial areas as part of efforts to maintain order and prevent further disruption.
According to BGB headquarters, three platoons were deployed in Mirpur, 11 in Savar and Ashulia, 12 in Gazipur and seven in Narayanganj.
Armoured personnel carriers, riot control vehicles and drones were being used to strengthen security and monitor developments.
BGB personnel were also equipped with body-worn cameras, while a monitoring cell at headquarters was overseeing the situation around the clock.
Meanwhile, the Detective Branch arrested eight more people in connection with Tuesday’s attack on police during garment workers’ demonstrations in Mirpur-11.
DMP Deputy Commissioner Md Akhtar Hossain said investigators identified the suspects through CCTV footage and technological assistance.
Wage uncertainty remains unresolved
Although production has resumed in most industrial areas, the dispute over wages remains unresolved.
The government has formed a minimum wage board and announced plans to introduce a revised wage structure from December, but workers have yet to receive confirmation of the proposed minimum amount.
Industrial Police officials said factory owners were committed to implementing the revised structure once finalised.
The latest developments follow protests that began in Mirpur on October 29 and subsequently spread to Ashulia, Gazipur, Savar and Narayanganj.
The demonstrations triggered repeated clashes, road blockades and temporary factory closures, with at least 529 factories suspending production at one stage.
“In Sha Allah, the board (newly formed wage board) will set a new minimum wage within the next one to two months so that our dear workers can live a little better.”
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman speaks on workers’ minimum wage