Gazipur Garment Worker Dies After Wage Protest Attack

A garment worker in Gazipur died in hospital on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, after he was attacked during wage protests. He was injured on Monday while recording the unrest on his phone. Reports give his name as Toufiq.

What happened

The protests in Gazipur are part of a demand for a higher minimum wage. Daily Star reports that workers want a monthly minimum of Tk 30,000. Police say the unrest began when outsiders pressured a factory to close. Police also say a clash followed between those outsiders and workers. The worker’s family tells a different story. They say he was attacked while filming the unrest. Police are collecting CCTV footage to find out what happened. The investigation is ongoing.

Background on the wage dispute

The minimum wage for garment workers was set at Tk 12,500 in November 2023. Many workers say this amount does not cover rising food and rent costs. The current demand is for a much higher wage, and talks on the issue remain unresolved.

Factories reopen under security

Around 50 factories shut for one to three days during the unrest. Most reopened on Wednesday. Security forces, including Border Guard Bangladesh, police, Ansar, and SRB members, are on duty. Tension flared again in Noljani, where protesters tried to block the Dhaka-Gazipur road. Police used tear gas and detained two people.

What happens next

Police have not yet confirmed the full circumstances of his death. We will update this article when the investigation provides more details.

FAQs

Q1. Who was the Gazipur garment worker who died?
Reports name him as Toufiq. His surname and age differ across outlets, so the full details are not yet confirmed.

Q2. Why are garment workers protesting in Gazipur?
They are demanding a higher minimum wage. Daily Star reports a demand of Tk 30,000 per month.

Q3. Have factories in Gazipur reopened?
Most reopened on Wednesday, 4 November, under heavy security.

Q4. What is police doing about the death?
Police are collecting CCTV footage from the scene to investigate.