Wage board formed, but garment workers' pockets are still empty — an editorial

The government has formed a six-member minimum wage board for the garment sector following days of worker protests — a welcome response to the workers' central demand. But forming a board is not a solution; it is only the start of a process. The real test is how quickly and how fairly a new minimum wage is determined. Workers demand Tk 30,000 a month against the current Tk 12,500, and protests have continued even after the announcement, with around 30 factories in Ashulia declaring holidays and police using tear gas and sound grenades during clashes. Prolonged disruption risks delaying export shipments and payments from international buyers, hurting manufacturers and workers alike. A credible, time-bound process with transparent hearings — and interim relief for workers if needed — is the only way to restore trust and get factories running again.