At Least 1 Worker Killed, Over 210 Injured, 216 Arrested, 19,521 Accused in 18 Criminal Cases, and Financial Investigations Targeting 225 Individuals and Institutions
Paris, France | 6 November 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the recent brutal repression of garment workers protesting for fair wages and basic labour rights in Bangladesh. JMBF also expresses grave concern over the reported killing of a garment worker, widespread police violence, arbitrary arrests, attacks allegedly carried out by activists of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and the mass filing of criminal cases against thousands of people.BANGLADESH ALERT: Police Torture and Arbitrary Arrests of Garment Workers During Peaceful Protests
According to information published in national newspapers and obtained from JMBF's reliable sources up to 5 November 2026, at least one garment worker has been killed, more than 210 people injured, at least 216 arrested, and 18 criminal cases filed against approximately 19,521 people. These figures raise serious concerns about the government's response to legitimate labour grievances.
Since 31 October, garment workers have been demanding an increase in the minimum monthly wage from BDT 12,500 to BDT 30,000, payment of outstanding wages and benefits, timely salary payments, an end to blacklisting, and reinstatement of unjustly dismissed workers. Instead of resolving these demands through meaningful negotiations, the authorities have responded with police operations, arrests and criminal proceedings.
On 2 November, Toufiq Hossain, a worker at Laila Styles Limited, was critically injured in Gazipur during an attack allegedly carried out by BNP leaders and activists. He died the following morning while receiving treatment in Dhaka. JMBF demands an independent investigation into his killing and the prosecution of those responsible, regardless of political affiliation.
Between 31 October and 4 November, police reportedly used batons, tear gas, rubber bullets and sound grenades against protesting workers in Ashulia, Mirpur, Gazipur, Savar and Narayanganj. More than 210 people were reportedly injured or fell ill. Particularly disturbing are reports that police fired sound grenades during an absentee funeral prayer for Toufiq Hossain and that a three-month-old infant lost consciousness after exposure to tear gas in Mirpur.
The reported arrests of labour leaders and workers, together with the arrests of Awami League leaders and activists in connection with the unrest, raise serious concerns about arbitrary detention and the politicisation of criminal justice. The filing of cases against approximately 19,521 people, many of them unidentified, creates a serious risk of indiscriminate arrests, intimidation and the criminalisation of legitimate labour activity.
JMBF is equally concerned by reports that financial transactions involving 225 individuals and institutions have come under scrutiny, with orders issued to freeze more than 100 personal bank accounts and banking information sought from approximately 125 companies. Any financial investigation must be lawful, evidence-based and subject to effective judicial oversight. It must not be used to silence workers or punish legitimate labour organising.
According to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), at least 529 garment factories suspended production on 1 November, preventing approximately 987,000 workers from reporting to work. The deployment of Border Guard Bangladesh alongside other security forces in Gazipur further illustrates the government's security-focused response to a dispute fundamentally rooted in wages, employment and workers' rights.
JMBF stresses that the right to demand fair wages, organise collectively and participate in peaceful protests is protected under Bangladesh's Constitution and international human rights and labour standards.
Articles 31 and 32 of the Constitution guarantee protection of the law and the rights to life and personal liberty. Article 33 provides safeguards against unlawful arrest and detention, while Article 35(5) prohibits torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Articles 37 and 38 protect peaceful assembly and freedom of association, subject to lawful restrictions.
The reported actions also raise serious concerns under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), particularly Articles 6, 7, 9, 21 and 22, concerning the right to life, the prohibition of torture, liberty and security, peaceful assembly and freedom of association.
Furthermore, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), particularly Articles 7 and 8, recognises the right to just and favourable conditions of work and trade union rights.
Bangladesh's obligations under International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise and Convention No. 98 on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining require the authorities to respect workers' freedom of association and collective bargaining rights.
The Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006, as amended, also provides a domestic legal framework for wages, trade union activities, industrial relations and protection against unfair labour practices.
JMBF emphasises that maintaining public order cannot justify arbitrary detention, torture, indiscriminate use of force or collective punishment. Any restriction on peaceful assembly must meet the requirements of legality, necessity and proportionality. Allegations of violence by protesters must be investigated individually and impartially; they cannot justify treating an entire labour movement as a criminal enterprise.
Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder President and Executive Director of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), stated:
“Garment workers are demanding wages that allow them to feed their families and live with dignity. They must not be met with batons, tear gas, arrests and thousands of criminal accusations. The death of Toufiq Hossain demands justice, not political excuses. No government has the right to turn a legitimate struggle for fair wages into a campaign of fear and repression.”
JMBF calls upon the Government of Bangladesh to:
- Immediately end police violence, torture, intimidation and excessive use of force against garment workers exercising their legitimate rights.
- Immediately establish an independent and impartial investigation into the killing of Toufiq Hossain, injuries to protesting workers, the reported exposure of a three-month-old infant to tear gas, and allegations of attacks by ruling-party activists.
- Immediately release all workers, labour leaders and other individuals detained solely for peacefully exercising their rights, and ensure prompt judicial review of every remaining detention.
- Immediately review and withdraw criminal cases brought without credible individualised evidence, including indiscriminate allegations against unidentified persons.
- Immediately initiate genuine negotiations with independent worker representatives concerning minimum wages, outstanding payments, timely salaries, blacklisting and reinstatement of dismissed workers.
- Immediately ensure appropriate medical treatment, rehabilitation and effective remedies for injured workers, together with fair compensation for the family of Toufiq Hossain.
- Immediately investigate allegations that BNP leaders and activists attacked workers or unlawfully apprehended and handed them over to police, and hold those responsible accountable.
- Immediately review the necessity and proportionality of deploying BGB and other security forces in industrial areas, and ensure that all security operations comply with human rights standards.
- Immediately prevent the misuse of financial investigations, bank account freezes and administrative measures to intimidate workers, trade union leaders or other individuals without lawful justification.
- Immediately guarantee full respect for constitutional protections, the Bangladesh Labour Act, the ICCPR, the ICESCR and Bangladesh's binding ILO conventions, including workers' rights to organise, bargain collectively and protest peacefully.
JMBF also urges the International Labour Organization (ILO), relevant United Nations Special Procedures, the European Union, international trade unions, global apparel brands and international human rights organisations to closely monitor the situation and press the Bangladeshi authorities to end unlawful repression, ensure accountability and engage in meaningful negotiations with workers.
International buyers and brands sourcing garments from Bangladesh must also exercise their human rights due diligence responsibilities and use their leverage to support freedom of association, collective bargaining and the protection of workers from retaliation.
JMBF stands beside garment workers and is closely monitoring developments in this matter.
In solidarity,
Ms. Jannatul Ferdous
Assistant Secretary General
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF)
CNB Premises
180 Boulevard Haussmann, 75008 Paris, France
Email: info@jmbf.org | Website: www.jmbf.org
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Facts in Brief: Based on reports published in various newspapers up to 5 November 2026 and information obtained from JMBF’s own reliable sources.
Brutal Repression of Garment Workers’ Protests by the BNP Government: At Least 1 Killed, More Than 210 Injured, At Least 216 Arrested, and At Least 18 Cases Filed Against 19,521 People
Since 31 October 2026, garment workers across several industrial areas of Bangladesh have been protesting for an increase in the minimum wage from BDT 12,500 to BDT 30,000, payment of outstanding wages and benefits, payment of salaries by the 7th of each month, an end to worker blacklisting, and the reinstatement of workers dismissed without justification. Rising living costs and wages that are insufficient to meet their families’ basic needs have driven these demands.
Rather than addressing the workers’ demands or opening discussions with their representatives, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government has deployed law enforcement agencies to suppress the protests. Ruling-party leaders and activists have also been mobilised against the workers. According to information documented by JMBF up to 5 November 2026, at least one person was killed, more than 210 were injured, at least 216 were arrested, and at least 18 cases were filed against 19,521 people.
Garment Worker Toufiq Hossain Killed in an Attack by Ruling-Party Leaders and Activists
On 2 November 2026, at approximately 2:00 PM, Toufiq Hossain, a garment worker employed by Laila Styles Limited, was seriously injured in an attack allegedly carried out by leaders and activists of the ruling BNP. The incident occurred in front of Noman Terry Towel Mills in Bahadurpur, under Joydebpur Police Station in Gazipur, where garment workers were protesting for fair wages.
Toufiq died from his injuries at approximately 8:00 AM on 3 November while receiving treatment at Shin Shin Japan Hospital in Uttara, Dhaka.
More Than 210 Workers Injured During Law Enforcement Crackdowns
On 31 October 2026, police used batons, tear gas, and other forms of force against garment workers protesting for fair wages in Ashulia, Dhaka, leaving more than 50 workers injured.
On 1 November, at least 20 workers were injured during police operations in Mirpur, Dhaka, while more than 30 were injured in Kaliakoir, Gazipur. On 3 November, police baton-charged protesters and fired tear gas along the Bypail–Abdullahpur Road in Ashulia, injuring more than 20 workers.
On 4 November, more than 50 garment workers were injured during police operations in Hemayetpur, Ulail, and Nishchintapur in Savar.
The same day, police fired sound grenades during an absentee funeral prayer (Ghayebana Janaza) for Toufiq Hossain at Chandna Chowrasta in Gazipur. More than 20 workers were injured.
Also on 4 November, police used rubber bullets, tear gas, and sound grenades against protesting garment workers in the Kath-er-pul area of Fatullah, Narayanganj. More than 20 workers were injured or became ill.
Sources: bdnews24: More than 50 injured in Savar | Dhaka Tribune: Attack during absentee funeral prayer | TBS: Police use of force | bdnews24: Police baton-charge in Ashulia
At Least 216 Garment Workers and Awami League Leaders and Activists Arbitrarily Arrested
Between 31 October and 5 November 2026, at least 145 garment workers, including eight labour leaders, were arrested during operations aimed at suppressing the protests, according to figures published by various news outlets.
Five labour leaders were arrested on 1 November and another three on 3 November. More than 60 people were arrested in Mirpur, Dhaka, on 1–2 November; 36 in Gazipur between 1 and 4 November; 30 in connection with eight cases filed in Savar–Ashulia; and 11 in Fatullah, Narayanganj, on 4 November.
The government also characterised the garment workers’ movement as politically motivated. On 3 November, at least 33 leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations were allegedly arrested from different areas of Dhaka Metropolitan City. These arrests have been linked to allegations that the government was attempting to divert attention from the workers’ demands.
At least 38 more people were arrested on 5 November. According to published reports, the total number of arrested Awami League leaders and activists of its affiliated organisations reached 71.
Sources: TBS: Arrests in Mirpur | bdnews24: Savar–Ashulia | bdnews24: Fatullah | bdnews24: Arrest of labour leaders
At Least 18 Cases Filed Against Garment Workers
At least 18 cases were filed against garment workers in connection with the protests across four industrial areas.
Five cases were filed in Mirpur, Dhaka, on 1–2 November 2026, with preparations reportedly underway to file six more. By 4 November, four cases had been filed in Gazipur.
In Savar and Ashulia, eight cases were filed, including two at Savar Model Police Station and six at Ashulia Police Station. Preparations to file further cases in these areas were also ongoing.
At least one additional case was filed at Fatullah Model Police Station in Narayanganj on 3–4 November.
JMBF has also received information that preparations are underway to file another 10 cases.
At Least 19,521 People Named as Accused in Mass Cases, Most of Them Unidentified
Thousands of people have been named as accused in cases filed in connection with the garment workers’ protests, many of them without being individually identified.
Between 1 and 5 November, cases filed in Mirpur, Dhaka, named approximately 13,000 people as accused. Initial cases filed in Gazipur involved approximately 4,000 people, while cases in Ashulia, Dhaka, involved approximately 1,000.
On 4 November, a case filed at Fatullah Model Police Station in Narayanganj named 21 individuals and approximately 1,500 unidentified people as accused.
Sources: bdnews24: Case in Fatullah | TBS: Cases in Ashulia
Allegations of Attacks on Workers and Their Handover to Police by BNP Leaders and Activists
On 3–4 November 2026, local BNP leaders and activists of affiliated organisations allegedly attacked garment workers protesting for fair wages in the Savar–Hemayetpur area of Dhaka and in Fatullah, Narayanganj. According to the allegations, the attackers used hockey sticks, stumps, and wooden sticks, injuring numerous workers.
There have also been allegations that BNP leaders and activists apprehended protesting garment workers in different areas of Dhaka, Gazipur, and Narayanganj and handed them over to the police.
Bank Accounts Frozen and Financial Information Sought from 225 Individuals and Institutions
On 5 November 2026, the intelligence branches of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) in Dhaka began examining the financial transactions of 225 individuals and institutions accused of financing unrest in the garment industry.
The action was allegedly taken under government instructions as part of an effort to divert the garment workers’ movement from its original demands.
Authorities also ordered the freezing of bank accounts belonging to more than 100 individuals and sought detailed banking transaction records from approximately 125 companies.
At Least 529 Garment Factories Closed Amid Workers’ Protests
According to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), production was suspended at at least 529 garment factories across Bangladesh on 1 November 2026 amid workers’ protests and unrest in industrial areas.
Approximately 987,000 workers were unable to report to work as a result.
BGB Deployed Amid Garment Workers’ Protests
On 1 November 2026, five platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed at seven key locations in Gazipur amid the ongoing garment workers’ protests, alongside police, Ansar, Armed Police Battalion, and SRB personnel.
Three-Month-Old Infant Loses Consciousness Due to Police Tear Gas
On 1 November 2026, a three-month-old infant reportedly lost consciousness after being exposed to tear gas fired by police during garment workers’ protests in Mirpur, Dhaka. The child was in its mother’s arms at the time.
Workers’ Demands Remain Unresolved Despite Formation of Wage Board
On 1 November 2026, the government formed a six-member wage board amid the ongoing garment workers’ protests. However, as of 5 November, no new minimum wage had been announced.
According to published information, the government planned to implement the revised wage structure from December, with payments at the new rates beginning in January.
Meanwhile, the use of force against protesting workers, widespread arrests, and the filing of cases have continued without a concrete resolution to the workers’ demands for fair wages.
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JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan international human rights organization registered in France under the French Association Law of 1901 (Registration No. W931027714), committed to defending human rights, promoting social justice, and empowering marginalised communities in Bangladesh and beyond. JMBF is officially registered in the European Union Transparency Register (REG No. 0635235105176-78).
