Bangladesh garment workers stage fourth day of wage protests

DHAKA, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Garment workers in Bangladesh staged a fourth day of wage protests on Tuesday, with police firing tear gas to disperse demonstrators as unrest disrupted factory operations and transport links in the country's vital export sector.

The unrest, which began on Saturday, has intensified despite the government's move to form a six-member wage board to review pay in Bangladesh's garment sector, the world's second-largest apparel exporter after China.

It comes at a critical time for manufacturers entering the peak production season for spring and summer export orders. The industry employs about 4 million workers, supplies global brands such as H&M, Zara and Gap, and accounts for more than 80% of the country's export earnings.

Clashes were reported across industrial belts around Dhaka, including Ashulia, Gazipur and the capital's Mirpur area, as workers staged fresh demonstrations and attempted to block major highways. Dozens of people, including several police officers, were injured in the clashes.

H&M ASSESSING ANY POTENTIAL IMPACT

In Ashulia, police fired tear gas and sound grenades after protesters threw bricks and stones at law enforcement personnel, said Mohammad Mominul Islam Bhuiyan, superintendent of Ashulia Industrial Police. Similar crowd-control measures were used in Dhaka's Mirpur area, police said.

Additional security forces were deployed to contain the unrest, police said. Several factories in Gazipur and Ashulia again suspended operations or declared holidays after nearly 700 factories shut a day earlier.

"There are no major disruptions in our supply chain with only a limited number of factories temporarily closed," H&M HMb.ST told Reuters. "We are assessing any potential impact on our overall production and supply chain."

The Swedish company added it wanted adequate compensation for garment workers and remained committed to improving wages and working conditions.

WORKERS DEMAND HIGHER MINIMUM WAGE

Workers are demanding a minimum monthly wage of 30,000 taka ($245), up from the current 12,500 taka, arguing that rising living costs and persistent inflation have eroded their purchasing power. Several factories were also vandalised during the unrest.

"It is crucial that brands act immediately and speak out in support of workers' demands," said Anne Bienias, from the Clean Clothes Campaign industry advocacy group.

Industry officials warn prolonged closures could delay shipments and damage Bangladesh's reputation as a reliable sourcing hub as it competes with rivals such as Vietnam and India for global apparel orders.

The wage dispute comes amid mounting pressure on workers from rising prices. The government formed the wage board on November 1 to review pay in the garment sector, but the move has yet to calm the protests.

Factory owners said they are contending with rising operating costs, uncertainty in energy markets linked to conflict in the Middle East, and softer demand in key export markets.

They warn that prolonged unrest could disrupt production schedules and jeopardise export orders, while workers continue to press for higher wages and better working conditions.