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DHAKA, Jan. 13-- In an apparent bid to quell labor unrest, the Bangladeshi government raised the pay of millions of garment workers Sunday after coming under fire from laborers over disparity in their new wage structure. State Minister for Labor and Employment Munnujan Sufian made the announcement Sunday night, saying wages for workers of all grades were raised proportionately following a special directive of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in this regard. In line with the new wage structure, grade-i workers will get the minimum monthly basic wage 18,257 taka, 15,416 taka for grade-ii, 9,849 taka for grade-iii, 9,347 taka for grade-iv and 8,875 for grade-v. The ministry, however, expressed the hope that the agitating workers will now return to their workplaces. The wage hike came hours after the Bangladesh apparel garment owners threatened to shut down thousands of factories if the workers continue demonstration. The warning came following week-long protests by the workers in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country, leaving at least a laborer reportedly dead and scores of others injured. Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Siddiqur Rahman said factories across Bangladesh will be kept shut for an indefinite period from Monday if the workers do not return to their work stations. Tens of thousands garment workers have been staging demonstration since last Sunday. | 
