Tens of thousands of garment workers in Bangladesh, the world’s second‑largest apparel exporter, hit the streets demanding higher minimum wages, saying their current pay barely covers basic needs.
The mass demonstrations saw workers from factories across the country gather in public spaces, chanting for wage reforms and drawing attention to the hardship they face on a daily basis.
According to the protesters, the existing minimum wage is insufficient to purchase food, cover housing costs and meet other essential expenses, leaving many workers “going hungry.”
The garment sector is a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s economy, employing millions of people and generating a large share of the nation’s export earnings. The scale of the industry makes wage policies a critical issue for both workers and the broader economic landscape.
Organisers of the protests called on the government and industry leaders to review and raise the minimum wage, urging swift action to ensure that earnings are enough to meet workers’ fundamental needs.
<small>Source: Al Jazeera — read the original story there.</small>