Clothing factories shut in Bangladesh as workers strike over pay

The garment industry in Bangladesh employs about four million workers making clothes for big brands including H&M, Primark and Zara.

Bangladesh is the world's second largest exporter of ready- to-wear clothes after China and it is feared that the current unrest could have a knock-on effect for international buyers if it carries on for substantial amount of time.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) is calling for protection for factories.

"BGMEA and BKMEA have questioned the justification of continuing to participate in wage board negotiations without any assurance that the factories will be protected," BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said.

"Garment factories that have been unable to continue production due to the ongoing unrest will remain indefinitely closed from tomorrow under... Bangladesh's labour law."

On 1 November the government formed a minimum wage board to recommend a revised pay structure for workers.

The board, chaired by a senior district judge, said at its first meeting it would finalise any recommendations by the end of November.

Once it is put in place, the revised pay structure is expected to take effect from 1 December.