Bangladesh: Workers protest in Dhaka over wage delays

Hundreds of workers in Bangladesh took to the streets on Monday, blocking both the Dhaka-Tangail and Dhaka-Mymensingh highways at the Bhogra Bypass intersection in Gazipur to demand their overdue wages.

The demonstration caused severe traffic congestion in the area, disrupting daily life for commuters and locals.

Protesters claimed that over 300 workers had not received their salaries, with factory authorities allegedly delaying payments without providing a clear explanation.

In a separate incident, temporary workers of Bangladesh Railway staged a protest in front of the Ministry of Railways in Dhaka on Monday, urging the government to release their pending salaries and fulfill other promised benefits.

Worker unrest has been intensifying across the country. Last week, laborers from at least 15 garment factories in Gazipur's Kaliakoir staged demonstrations, blocking the Dhaka-Tangail highway over the abrupt closure of a factory and reports of physical assault on employees, according to local media reports.

Bangladesh, home to a thriving garment industry, has one of the lowest wage rates in South Asia, trailing only Sri Lanka and Bhutan, according to a report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) released in November 2024. Economists warn that rising inflation and stagnant wages have severely impacted low-income workers, forcing many to cut back on

Worker protests have been on the rise since the interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, took office in August 2024.

Reports indicate that ongoing labor unrest has contributed to the closure of several factories, while incidents of violence during demonstrations have resulted in injuries and casualties. The government has yet to announce a comprehensive plan to address these wage-related grievances, fueling uncertainty among the country’s vast workforce.