As many as 150 garment factories have been shut down "indefinitely" as police filed blanket charges against 11,000 workers in connection with protests in Bangladesh, media reported.
The country's 3,500 garment factories account for around 85 percent of its $55 billion in annual exports, supplying many of the world's top brands including Levi's, Zara and H&M.
The Asian manufacturing hub has been witnessing unrest among factory workers in view of lesser pay. Majority of the workforce are women whose monthly pay, until recently, started at 8.300 taka ($75).
The workers were protesting for better pay. According to reports, at least three workers have been killed and more than 70 factories ransacked or damaged since the protests erupted.
Earlier this week, the government raised the sector's wage by 56,25 percent to 12.500 taka, but garment workers rejected it and are demanding a 23000 taka minimum wage.