Garment manufacturers are set to reopen their factories today after three days of unrest over workers’ wage demands, as industry leaders and trade unions called for an end to protests.
A total of 414 factories remained closed yesterday, according to Industrial Police data. The BGMEA and BKMEA urged the home ministry to ensure security and restore normalcy in major industrial zones.
At an emergency meeting, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed asked trade union leaders to persuade workers to return to work and warned that those involved in violence would face legal action.
The government formed a six-member wage board on Sunday to recommend a new minimum salary for more than four million garment workers. The board is expected to meet today or tomorrow, while the revised wage structure must take effect from December 1 under the amended Labour Act 2026.
Workers’ representative Babul Akhter urged protesters to resume work, while union leaders said the wage board should have been formed earlier to prevent the unrest.
BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem confirmed that factories would reopen today. BGMEA Vice-President Rezwan Selim said continued disruptions had raised concerns over production delays, shipment disruptions, higher air freight costs and possible order cancellations.
