Bangladesh clothing factories re-open after pay row

More than 200 Bangladesh garment factories have reopened after the country’s prime minister stepped in to resolve clashes over minimum wages.

The factories in an industrial belt outside the capital opened after owners who met prime minister Sheikh Hasina agreed to a 77% increase in the minimum wage for new unskilled garment workers to 5,300 takas (€50) a month.

A government-appointed panel voted last week to raise the minimum wage, which is still the world’s lowest, but owners refused to endorse it.

Workers had clashed with police over the past four days, shutting the factories that supply clothing to global brands.