Bangladesh's garment wage crisis is about who pays, not just how much
The Business Standard (National) · ৭ নভে, ২০২৬
As workers demand a Tk30,000 minimum wage and factory owners warn of mounting financial pressure, the dispute exposes a structural weakness in Bangladesh's apparel industry, where international brands retain pricing power while manufacturers struggle to pass rising costs along the supply chain.
পুরো খবরটি পড়ুনThe Business Standard (National)-এর ওয়েবসাইটে খুলবেমূল কথা
The Business Standard (National)-এর প্রতিবেদন থেকে হুবহু উদ্ধৃত
- Garment workers have been protesting across Bangladesh since mid-October, with the unrest escalating over the past week into highway blockades, clashes with police and factory shutdowns in Dhaka, Gazipur and Ashulia.
- On 1 November, the government formed a six-member wage board to review workers' pay, as protesters continued to demand a monthly minimum wage of Tk30,000, against the existing floor of Tk12,500.
- Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) exports fell 1.64% to $38.70 billion in FY2025-26, down from $39.35 billion in the previous fiscal year, according to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data compiled by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
বিসিএস ও ভর্তি পরীক্ষা তথ্য ছক (Exam Fact Sheet)
হাই-ইল্ড ডেটাপ্রিলিমিনারি নৈর্ব্যক্তিক ও লিখিত রচনায় কোটেশনযোগ্য সুনির্দিষ্ট পরিসংখ্যান
| ধরন | তথ্য | প্রতিবেদনের যে বাক্য থেকে নেওয়া |
|---|---|---|
Figure | Tk30,000 | “On 1 November, the government formed a six-member wage board to review workers' pay, as protesters continued to demand a monthly minimum wage of Tk30,000, against the existing floor of Tk12,500.” |
Figure | Tk12,500 | “The workers' case: Inflation has eroded purchasing power Bangladesh's current garment-sector minimum wage of Tk12,500 was announced in November 2023 following weeks of protests and negotiations.” |
Figure | 56.25% | “The 56.25% increase took effect on 1 December that year.” |
Figure | Tk23,000 | “Workers had initially demanded around Tk23,000, while factory owners proposed Tk10,400.” |
শব্দভাণ্ডার ও বাস্তব প্রয়োগ ছক (Vocabulary Matrix)
5টি মূল শব্দএই প্রতিবেদন থেকে বাছাই করা শব্দ: অর্থ, উচ্চারণ ও প্রতিবেদনে ব্যবহার
That does not involve competition; not competitive
“At first glance, the dispute appears to present a familiar dilemma: how much can workers earn without making the industry uncompetitive?”
Having a substance; actually existing.
“Factory owners warn that a substantial wage increase could push already struggling manufacturers towards closure, while workers argue that their current earnings are no longer enough to meet basic household expenses.”
An event or occurrence that signifies an ending.
“Factory owners warn that a substantial wage increase could push already struggling manufacturers towards closure, while workers argue that their current earnings are no longer enough to meet basic household expenses.”
To increase (something) in extent or intensity; to intensify or step up.
“Garment workers have been protesting across Bangladesh since mid-October, with the unrest escalating over the past week into highway blockades, clashes with police and factory shutdowns in Dhaka, Gazipur and Ashulia.”
A brief or cursory look.
“At first glance, the dispute appears to present a familiar dilemma: how much can workers earn without making the industry uncompetitive?”
Words chosen from this story. English meanings: Wiktionary (CC BY-SA), via the Free Dictionary API.
IELTS Reading practice
Read the passage, then answer the questions. Every answer is in the passage.
Garment workers have been protesting across Bangladesh since mid-October, with the unrest escalating over the past week into highway blockades, clashes with police and factory shutdowns in Dhaka, Gazipur and Ashulia. On 1 November, the government formed a six-member wage board to review workers' pay, as protesters continued to demand a monthly minimum wage of Tk30,000, against the existing floor of Tk12,500.
At first glance, the dispute appears to present a familiar dilemma: how much can workers earn without making the industry uncompetitive? Factory owners warn that a substantial wage increase could push already struggling manufacturers towards closure, while workers argue that their current earnings are no longer enough to meet basic household expenses.
A part of a report by The Business Standard (National).Read the full story
Question 1: Choose the correct answer.
1.On 1 November, the government formed a six-member wage board to review workers' pay, as protesters continued to demand a monthly minimum wage of _____ against the existing floor of Tk12,500.
Question 2: Complete the sentence. Write ONE WORD from the passage.
2.At first glance, the dispute appears to present a familiar dilemma: how _____ can workers earn without making the industry uncompetitive?
Question 3: Do the following statements agree with the passage? Choose TRUE or FALSE.
3.Factory owners warn that a substantial wage increase could push already struggling manufacturers towards closure, while workers argue that their current earnings are no longer enough to meet basic household expenses.
Writing practice
IELTS Writing Task 2 style · Topic: Wages & workers
When workers protest for higher pay, factories close and the economy suffers. How should such disputes be settled?
Write a short answer of 4–5 sentences (30–250 words). State your opinion clearly, give a reason, and use a fact from this story as an example.
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পাঠোত্তর প্রতিফলন ও সারসংক্ষেপ অনুশীলন (Active Recall)
প্রতিবেদনটি পড়া শেষ করার পর মূল ভাবটি নিজের ভাষায় ২-৩ বাক্যে লিখুন। এটি বিসিএস লিখিত ও ভর্তি পরীক্ষার ফোকাস রাইটিংয়ে আপনার নিজের ভাষায় উত্তর লেখার সক্ষমতা বহু গুণ বাড়িয়ে দেবে।