Violent clashes erupted between garment workers and law enforcement officers in Mirpur on Tuesday morning, leaving key transit hubs disrupted as demands for higher minimum wages escalated across major industrial belts. At around 10:15 am, protesting workers occupied roads near Mirpur-11, bringing local traffic to a complete standstill. Police personnel deployed tear gas shells and sound grenades to disperse the crowd, whilst demonstrators retaliated by hurling bricks at the officers. Due to safety concerns arising from the ongoing altercations, operations at the nearby Mirpur Metro Station were temporarily suspended.
The violence forms part of a broader wave of unrest sweeping through the nation’s ready-made garment (RMG) sector, where workers are demanding an increase in the monthly minimum wage to 30,000 BDT. According to data released by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), industrial unrest has halted operations across three primary manufacturing hubs: Mirpur, Gazipur-Mymensingh, and the Savar-Ashulia-Jirani belt. In total, 679 factories suspended production on Monday after workers walked off their shifts, forcing over 1.68 million individuals to return home without completing their workday.
A detailed overview of the operational status across major garment manufacturing hubs, as reported by the BGMEA up to 3:30 pm on Monday, reveals the magnitude of the disruption:
| Industrial Zone / Hub | Total Garment Manufacturing Units | Number of Operational Units | Number of Shut Manufacturing Units | Total Affected Workforce |
| :— | :— | :— | :— | :— |
| Gazipur & Mymensingh Belt | 836 | 454 | 382 | ~ 800,000 |
| Savar, Ashulia & Jirani Belt | 441 | 218 | 223 | 743,000 |
| Mirpur Hub (Dhaka) | 320 | 265 | 55 | 53,840 |
| Narayanganj Industrial Area | 199 | 190 | 9 | ~ 10,000 |
| Chittagong Export Zone | 340 | 340 | 0 | 0 |
| Gazipur Closed Factories Sub-total | 836 | 454 | 382 | ~ 800,000 |
| Ashulia Closed Factories Sub-total | 441 | 218 | 223 | 743,000 |
| Mirpur Closed Factories Sub-total | 320 | 265 | 55 | 53,840 |
| Narayanganj Walkouts Sub-total | 199 | 190 | 9 | ~ 10,000 |
| **National Total Across All Zones** | **2,134** | **1,455** | **679** | **1,680,572** |
Out of 2,134 manufacturing facilities monitored across five industrial zones, 1,455 remained functional amidst heightened security. The northern industrial cluster of Gazipur and Mymensingh experienced the highest proportion of closures, with 382 out of 836 factories ceasing work. In the Savar, Ashulia, and Jirani industrial sector, 223 out of 441 facilities were forced to close as 743,000 workers joined the walkout.
Within the capital, 55 out of 320 factories in Mirpur reported work stoppages involving 53,840 workers. Minor disruptions occurred in Narayanganj, where workers staged walkouts in 9 out of 199 factories. Conversely, the port city of Chittagong remained unaffected, with all 340 factories maintaining standard production schedules. Industrial police and security agencies maintain a strong presence across all affected zones to prevent further damage to property and ensure public safety.
