At an emergency press conference on Saturday (14 November), Mahmud Hasan Khan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), alleged that a particular group is attempting to create disorder in the RMG sector.
He appealed to civil society and all stakeholders to step forward to protect the industry, which serves as the primary driving force of the country’s economy and export earnings.
Speaking at the press conference, he said: “Our garment industry is the main driving force of the country’s economy and export earnings. But a certain group is making a malicious attempt to create disorder in this industry. We are observing with extreme concern that these problems have been occurring over the last 7–12 days. A group is trying to create this disorder centered on the minimum wage issue.”
He added that normal production is being disrupted, especially in industrial units in Savar, Ashulia, and Gazipur. “If this situation continues, there is a risk that this industry will be devastated,” he warned. He called on civil society and everyone concerned to come forward to protect the sector.
Additional Context from Recent Reports
The BGMEA president’s warning comes amid weeks of labor unrest in Bangladesh’s vital RMG sector, which accounts for roughly 80% of the country’s export earnings, employs around 4 million workers, and supplies major Western brands.
Workers have been demanding a sharp increase in the monthly minimum wage—from the current Tk 12,500 (set in late 2023) to Tk 30,000–32,000—citing rising costs of food, housing, transport, and healthcare amid high inflation. Protests that began in late October forced the closure of more than 500 factories at peak, affecting nearly one million workers, with road blockades, clashes with police (including use of tear gas and water cannons), and incidents of vandalism reported in hubs such as Savar, Ashulia, Gazipur, and Mirpur.
The government formed a six-member Minimum Wage Board on 1 November to review pay. At recent board meetings, workers’ representatives proposed a minimum of Tk 32,000 (with a breakdown including basic pay, house rent, and allowances), while owners have stressed that negotiations cannot proceed amid disorder and that large hikes could erode Bangladesh’s cost competitiveness against rivals.
There were temporary signs of normalcy around 8 November as many workers returned after October wages began being paid and some agreements were reached, but unrest has flared again.
On 14 November, BGMEA reported that 55 factories were already closed indefinitely under Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act (which allows “no work, no pay”), while 92 others had halted production that day due to protests.
Owners have warned that more units unable to operate may invoke the same provision from 15 November onward. Earlier reports indicated owners were weighing indefinite shutdowns affecting hundreds of factories in areas including Ashulia, Jamgora, and Hemayetpur if disruptions continued.
Industry leaders have repeatedly stated that prolonged disruptions threaten export orders during a critical production period, while workers’ groups and organizations such as the Clean Clothes Campaign have urged brands to support living-wage demands. The wage board is expected to continue its work, with owners planning to present their proposal at an upcoming meeting.