Global rights groups condemn violence against Bangladesh garment workers demanding higher wages

Leading international human rights organisations have criticised Bangladesh’s response to widespread garment-worker protests, urging police restraint and accountability after days of clashes over demands for a higher minimum wage.

Workers across industrial belts including Savar, Ashulia, Gazipur and Narayanganj have been demanding a monthly minimum wage of Tk 30,000, up from Tk 12,500 set in 2023. The unrest has forced hundreds of factories to suspend operations, with reports of injuries to workers, police personnel and journalists.

Human Rights Watch said Bangladesh police used batons and tear gas to disperse thousands of protesters. It called on authorities to ensure that any use of force is necessary and proportionate, and that those responsible for violence are held accountable.

The group also cited reports of arson, factory vandalism, attacks on police, and violence by men allegedly linked to factory owners or political parties.

The protests gained urgency after garment worker Toufiq Hossain died on November 3 from injuries sustained during a clash in Gazipur’s Joydebpur area. Accounts cited by rights groups said he was attacked while recording a protest near a factory.

A co-worker told Human Rights Watch that Hossain was caught between protesting workers and men hired by another factory to confront the demonstration, and was beaten severely.

Bangladeshi media reports said Hossain died while undergoing treatment at a Dhaka hospital. Police later dispersed a gathering held for his funeral prayers in Gazipur.

Justice Makers Bangladesh in France said it was deeply concerned by the killing, alleged police violence, arbitrary arrests, attacks by ruling-party activists, and the filing of mass criminal cases.

Citing Bangladeshi media and its own sources, the group said that until Thursday at least one worker had been killed, more than 210 people injured, 216 arrested, and 18 cases filed against approximately 19,521 people.

“Garment workers are demanding wages that allow them to feed their families and live with dignity. They must not be met with batons, tear gas, arrests, and thousands of criminal accusations,” said JMBF founder president Shahanur Islam.

Human Rights Watch said that rather than addressing workers’ demands for a living wage, authorities appeared to be blaming political opponents for instigating the unrest. Dhaka police said they arrested 33 Awami League supporters on November 3 for alleged sabotage, while other accounts alleged that members of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s youth wing had targeted protesters.

(Inputs from IANS)