Bangladesh’s garment-industry wage board has agreed to raise the minimum wage after five days of protests and sporadic clashes, although it did not specify the size of the increase. Workers have demanded a monthly minimum of 30,000 taka (S$310), up 140% from the current 12,500 taka, saying inflation of about 8% has eroded their ability to afford food, housing, transport and healthcare. The board was established by the government on Nov. 1 and includes representatives of employers and workers. It aims to complete its work by December so factories can pay revised salaries in January. Demonstrations continued in Gazipur, Mirpur, Narayanganj and Savar, with police using tear gas and factories suspending operations in some areas. The sector employs more than four million people, generates about four-fifths of Bangladesh’s export earnings—worth up to US$38 billion—and makes the country the world’s second-largest garment exporter behind China. International buyers, including H&M, Inditex’s Zara, Walmart and Primark, are monitoring potential delays to spring and summer orders. The industry is also facing higher costs, weaker demand, energy-market uncertainty linked to conflict in the Middle East and competition from India, China and Vietnam. Economists say productivity gains, greater reliability and fairer purchasing practices could help factories absorb higher wages without weakening Bangladesh’s export competitiveness.