Workers protest over low wages

Thousands of protesters smashed vehicles and blocked traffic in the centre of Dhaka.

The violence came a day after the government raised monthly minimum wages for the country's millions of garment workers by about 80 per cent, after months protests over poor pay and working conditions.

Workers and union leaders say the raise was inadequate and does not match the high cost of living. In the first increase since 2006, the official minimum wage has been set at 3,000 takas (29) a month, up from 1,662 takas (16). Workers and labour rights groups have pressed for 5,000 takas (46) a month. International companies Wal-Mart, Tesco, H&M, Zara, Carrefour, Gap, Metro, JCPenney, Marks & Spencer, Kohl's, Levi Strauss and Tommy Hilfiger all import in bulk from Bangladesh. Its garment exports earn more than 7.5bn a year, nearly 80 per cent of the country's export income.