Gazipur:Hundreds of garment workers continued their protests in various parts of Gazipur on Monday, following the government's recent formation of a wage board to review the minimum wage structure. The workers are demanding a monthly minimum wage of Tk 30,000.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the protests led to the blockage of the Dhaka-Tangail highway by workers from several factories in the Palli Bidyut and Mouchak areas, halting traffic. Gazipur Deputy Commissioner Md Nurul Karim Bhuiyan reported that after confrontations with law enforcement, the protesters were dispersed, and traffic resumed around 10 a.m.
In addition, workers from factories in the Naljani and Lakshmipura areas also staged demonstrations on the highway. To maintain order, members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed along with police and other law enforcement agencies. Ten platoons of BGB personnel are working under the supervision of 21 executive magistrates to manage the situation.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, on Sunday, instructed authorities to safeguard garment workers' interests and ensure the continuation of production and export activities in the apparel sector. He warned against violence and attempts to create disorder in the name of workers' movements.
The government has set up a six-member wage board to review the minimum wage structure for garment workers amid widespread protests. Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury announced the board's formation and urged workers to return to work. The board, constituted under the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006 (amended in 2026), is led by Senior District and Sessions Judge Sheikh Ashfakur Rahman.
Protests in Dhaka and Gazipur, including roadblocks and factory closures, have been ongoing as garment workers press for wage increases.