Catherwood LibraryILR School

Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, witnessed thousands of workers in the garment industry go on strike this week. Workers are on strike demanding higher wages after the proposed wage increase from clothing companies fell short of their desired wage levels. Clothing companies are represented by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, and the association proposed a monthly minimum wage of $90, while workers were seeking a minimum monthly salary of $208. The current monthly minimum is $75, and workers have stated that this wage is not enough to pay for food and other necessities. Workers often have to work overtime to earn enough to cover their expenses, and rising inflation is making it even more difficult for workers. Each year, Bangladesh makes 5 billion dollars of revenue from exporting clothing garments, and they are the second largest garment producer in the world.