Police on Thursday reported violence in the major industrial towns of Ghazipur and Ashulia, outside the capital Dhaka, after more than 25,000 workers protested at factories and on highways to reject the wage panel’s proposal.
The unions said they rejected the panel’s decision, saying the pay rise did not match the rising costs of food, house rent, health care and school fees for their children.
Hasina said the offer given to employees was better than what civil servants were getting.
“Government officials have got a five per cent hike, because there is inflation all over the world – and they (garment workers) will get a 56 per cent hike,” he said.