The report described the death of Shahidul Islam, president of the Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation (BGIWF) in the Ghazipur district committee, as an example of repression.
In June 2023, he was murdered while trying to secure unpaid wages for workers. That same year, at least four garment workers have died during protests around the national minimum wage between October and November.
The international rights body estimates that since the protests in 2023, at least 35 criminal cases have been filed against garment workers, with approximately 161 named workers and an estimated total of 35,900 – 44,450 unidentified workers accused of participating. Is. In protest. At least 25 of the 35 recent cases have been filed by factories that are believed to be selling to major global fashion brands and retailers.