Dhaka: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has declined additional pay hikes for protesting garment workers who were demanding a nearly tripled increase in wages. This decision comes after violent clashes with the police and incidents of factories being ransacked.

A government-appointed panel had announced a 56.25 percent wage increase on Tuesday, setting the new minimum wage at 12,500 taka ($113) for the nation's garment factory workers. The workers had been demanding a minimum wage of 23,000 taka across all plants.

Bangladesh's 3,500 garment factories play a crucial role, contributing to approximately 85 percent of the country's annual exports, supplying major global brands such as Levi's, Zara, and H&M. However, the conditions for the sector's four million workers, predominantly women with a starting monthly pay of 8,300 taka, have been challenging.

Addressing a meeting of her ruling Awami League party on Thursday, Prime Minister Hasina urged garment workers to accept the increased salary and continue working. The ongoing protests have resulted in at least three worker fatalities and over 70 factories being ransacked since last week.

"If they take to the streets to protest at someone's instigation, they will lose their job, lose their work and will have to return to their village," warned Hasina. She emphasized the potential impact on jobs and the economy if factories are disrupted or closed.

According to the prime minister, 19 factories have been "attacked and destroyed," businesses that provide employment and sustenance to the workers.

Despite the panel's decision, protests persisted, with reports of violence in industrial towns like Gazipur and Ashulia. Over 25,000 workers demonstrated in factories and along highways, rejecting the wage increase proposed by the panel.

Labor unions expressed dissatisfaction, arguing that the pay hike does not align with the rising costs of essential needs such as food, housing, healthcare, and education for their children.

Prime Minister Hasina defended the government's decision, stating that the offered raise was superior to what civil servants received. She highlighted that government officers had received a five percent hike due to global inflation, whereas garment workers were granted a 56 percent increase.