Dhaka, 150 textile factories in Bangladesh closed indefinitely from today. Meanwhile, police have charged 11,000 workers with involvement in violent protests demanding higher wages.

15,000 workers clashed with police on a major highway and looted a dozen textile factories on Thursday. Police have filed anonymous charges against 11,000 workers who looted Tusuka, a major textile factory. Meanwhile, 150 factories in Ghazipur and Ashulia districts north of Dhaka are closed indefinitely from today. They cited a clause in the labor law that allows them to be closed if there is an illegal strike.

Bangladesh has 3,500 textile factories, employing 4 million people, and producing 85 percent of its $55 billion worth of annual exports, mostly for Western brands. The workers asked for a salary increase of 23,000 taka (about 7,390 baht), or nearly three times the starting salary of 8,300 taka (about 2,670 baht), but a government-appointed working group proposed on Tuesday a 56.25 percent monthly pay increase. 12,500 taka (approximately 4,062 baht)

Police said the protests began last week. Three workers have been killed, five police officers injured and more than 70 factories have been looted. The protests are now a challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, 76, who has refused to accept the demands of textile workers. and preparing to run in the election that will be held before the end of January 2024 after holding the position since a year 2009.

Source: Thai News Agency