DHAKA: A 23-year-old woman, Anjuara Khatun, was shot dead on Wednesday during violent protest demonstrations by garment workers in Bangladesh, rejecting the government’s recent wage increase offer. The incident occurred in the industrial city of Gazipur, located outside the capital Dhaka, where around 400 workers demanding higher wages were met with police intervention.
The Bangladeshi government-appointed panel had announced a 56.25 percent wage increase on Tuesday, raising the monthly pay to 12,500 taka ($114). However, the striking workers, predominantly women and numbering around four million, vehemently demand a substantial raise, pushing for their monthly wage to be nearly tripled to 23,000 taka.
Anjuara Khatun’s husband, Mohammad Jamal, revealed that his wife was fatally shot in the head during the protests, and she passed away while being transported to a hospital. Reports indicate that six to seven more workers were injured as police fired upon the crowd. Further violence erupted in Gazipur on Wednesday, with protesters hurling bricks at factories, cars, and law enforcement officers. Tear gas was used by the police to disperse the crowd.
Dire Conditions of Garment Workers in Bangladesh
The Bangladeshi garment sector, comprising 3,500 factories, constitutes approximately 85 percent of the country’s annual exports worth $55 billion, supplying major global brands like Levi’s, Zara, and H&M. However, the harsh reality for most of the sector’s workers includes dire conditions and meager wages, with the majority of female workers earning a monthly salary starting at 8,300 taka ($75).
The recent wage hike decision has failed to appease the discontented workers, who continue to struggle against persistent inflation and economic challenges. Many workers argue that the new minimum wage remains insufficient to meet their basic needs, prompting widespread discontent and demonstrations.
