The low-value trap
The Daily Star (National) · ৬ নভে, ২০২৬
Although Bangladesh has built a formidable presence in the global $1.2 billion textile and apparel market, its garment workers’ wages remain significantly lower than those of regional competitors including China, Vietnam, India, Cambodia and Turkey.
পুরো খবরটি পড়ুনThe Daily Star (National)-এর ওয়েবসাইটে খুলবেমূল কথা
The Daily Star (National)-এর প্রতিবেদন থেকে হুবহু উদ্ধৃত
- For instance, the minimum wage for garment workers in China is $482; in Vietnam, $180-$250 (varying by regional minimum wage tier); in Indonesia, $145-$253 (decentralised regional rates); and in Cambodia, $192, according to data from the International Labour Organisation.
- In India, the minimum wages vary from $90 to more than $200, and in Pakistan, it ranges from $92 to $128.
- The average unit price of Bangladeshi garment items dropped 8.47 percent year-on-year to €13.80 per kilogram in the first half of 2026, according to Eurostat data.
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 | $1.2 billion | “Although Bangladesh has built a formidable presence in the global $1.2 billion textile and apparel market, its garment workers’ wages remain significantly lower than those of regional competitors including China, Vietnam, India, Cambodia and Turkey.” |
Figure | $482 | “For instance, the minimum wage for garment workers in China is $482; in Vietnam, $180-$250 (varying by regional minimum wage tier); in Indonesia, $145-$253 (decentralised regional rates); and in Cambodia, $192, according to data from the International Labour Organisation.” |
Figure | $90 | “In India, the minimum wages vary from $90 to more than $200, and in Pakistan, it ranges from $92 to $128.” |
Figure | Tk 12,500 | “In contrast, Bangladesh’s Tk 12,500 minimum wage, set in 2023, comes to $75 or $115 depending on the exchange rate used.” |
শব্দভাণ্ডার ও বাস্তব প্রয়োগ ছক (Vocabulary Matrix)
2টি মূল শব্দএই প্রতিবেদন থেকে বাছাই করা শব্দ: অর্থ, উচ্চারণ ও প্রতিবেদনে ব্যবহার
The fact or condition of being present, or of being within sight or call, or at hand.
“Although Bangladesh has built a formidable presence in the global $1.2 billion textile and apparel market, its garment workers’ wages remain significantly lower than those of regional competitors including China, Vietnam, India, Cambodia and Turkey.”
Of a state or other geographic area, those parts which are not metropolitan, but are somewhat densely populated and usually contain a number of significant towns.
“Although Bangladesh has built a formidable presence in the global $1.2 billion textile and apparel market, its garment workers’ wages remain significantly lower than those of regional competitors including China, Vietnam, India, Cambodia and Turkey.”
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.
Although Bangladesh has built a formidable presence in the global $1.2 billion textile and apparel market, its garment workers’ wages remain significantly lower than those of regional competitors including China, Vietnam, India, Cambodia and Turkey.
For instance, the minimum wage for garment workers in China is $482; in Vietnam, $180-$250 (varying by regional minimum wage tier); in Indonesia, $145-$253 (decentralised regional rates); and in Cambodia, $192, according to data from the International Labour Organisation.
In India, the minimum wages vary from $90 to more than $200, and in Pakistan, it ranges from $92 to $128.
A part of a report by The Daily Star (National).Read the full story
Questions 1–2: Choose the correct answer.
1.Although Bangladesh has built a formidable presence in the global _____ textile and apparel market, its garment workers’ wages remain significantly lower than those of regional competitors including China, Vietnam, India, Cambodia and Turkey.
2.For instance, the minimum wage for garment workers in China is $482; in Vietnam, $180-$250 (varying by regional minimum wage tier); in Indonesia, $145-$253 (decentralised regional rates); and in Cambodia, _____ according to data from the International Labour Organisation.
Question 3: Do the following statements agree with the passage? Choose TRUE or FALSE.
3.In India, the minimum wages vary from $90 to more than $400 and in Pakistan, it ranges from $92 to $128.
Writing practice
IELTS Writing Task 2 style · Topic: Wages & workers
Is economic growth more important than fair wages for workers? Give your opinion.
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।