2 workers for H&M supplier killed in police clashes

DHAK – Two more garment factory employees have now been confirmed as having been killed following clashes between police and protesting workers in Bangladesh. Jalal Uddin, 42, died on November 11th while Anjuara Khatun, 24, died after sustaining injuries in a clash on November 8th. Both worked at Islam Garments, a major manufacturer which counts H&M, Next and Walmart among its customers.

A new minimum wage for garment workers in Bangladesh of 12,500 BDT (US$114) was last week announced by State Minister for Labour and Employment Monnujan Sufian. This followed weeks or political infighting and protests by garment workers, unions and rights groups.

However, demonstrations continue in the country. BGMEA president Faruque Hassan this week said 25 factories have been vandalised in Gazipur and Ashulia in the past couple of weeks, while 130 factories remained shut for an indefinite period.

On November 8, workers of three factories of Islam Group in the Jarun area began demonstrations asking for a wage rise. The New Age Bangladesh reports that a clash broke out when police tried to disperse workers from the roads.

Local accounts suggest police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to control the situation, leaving at least a dozen workers injured.

Workers of different garment factories have also taken to the streets at different spots in Mirpur, Dhaka demanding a wage hike.

Workers have also placed blockades on roads in the Mirpur-10 and Pallabi areas, disrupting vehicular movements for several hours.

Fashion brands would have hoped that the announcement of a new minimum wage might have been the end of the unrest in Bangladesh. However, the new wage has been deemed far too low by rights groups and unions. With factory owners claiming they cannot afford to pay more due to their own financial challenges, more and more scrutiny is now being placed on purchasing practices by brands.