The government of Bangladesh has reportedly established a new wage board to review the minimum compensation for garment industry employees, attempting to quell a persistent protest movement that has heavily disrupted major industrial hubs across the country. The sector remains the primary engine of the nation's export-driven economy.

Despite the official announcement made on Sunday, thousands of workers demanding higher pay continued demonstrating in and around the capital city of Dhaka. Local reports indicate that violent clashes erupted with law enforcement officers, who deployed tear gas and sound grenades to disperse the angry crowds.

Protesting employees are demanding a minimum monthly wage of 30,000 taka ($242), which is more than double the current baseline of 12,500 taka ($101). According to the workforce, soaring inflation encompassing food, housing, transport, and healthcare expenses has drastically eroded their purchasing power and standard of living.

The newly formed six-member board comprises representatives from the authorities, workers, and factory owners, tasked with swiftly determining a revised wage structure. Ministry of Labour and Employment adviser M Sakhawat Hossain Chowdhury purportedly stated that the dispute has been resolved and urged laborers to resume their duties immediately.

Meanwhile, manufacturers and industry representatives have voiced deep concerns over mounting operational challenges, including persistent energy shortages and market uncertainties allegedly fueled by geopolitical tensions stemming from the US-Israeli regime's military actions against Iran, which threaten critical export shipments.

Source: www.aljazeera.com