Published: 12:00 AM, 07 November 2026
Minimum Wages in Garments Sector: Global and Bangladesh Perspectives
Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain
The minimum wage for workers in the global garment industry is considered a highly sensitive and significant economic issue. The economies of many developing and underdeveloped nations, in particular, have become heavily dependent on this sector. However, there are substantial variations in wage rates, driven by differences in economic capacity and the cost of living across various continents.
In the Asian garment sector, the disparity in wages between unskilled and skilled workers is stark and clearly evident. In South Asian and Central Asian countries, wage rates for garment workers are relatively low. In India, unskilled workers earn 25,000 Taka, and skilled workers earn 35,000 Taka. In Pakistan, unskilled workers earn 15,000 Taka, and skilled workers earn 22,000 Taka. In Sri Lanka, unskilled workers earn 14,000 Taka, and skilled workers earn 20,000 Taka. In Nepal, unskilled workers earn 16,000 Taka, and skilled workers earn 23,000 Taka. In Bhutan, unskilled workers earn 17,000 Taka, and skilled workers earn 25,000 Taka. In Myanmar, unskilled workers earn 12,000 Taka, and skilled workers earn 18,000 Taka. In Cambodia, unskilled workers earn 25,000 Taka, and skilled workers earn 36,000 Taka. In Laos, unskilled workers earn 14,000 Taka, and skilled workers earn 20,000 Taka. In Mongolia, unskilled workers earn 30,000 Taka, and skilled workers earn 45,000 Taka. In Kazakhstan, unskilled workers earn 40,000 Taka, and skilled workers earn 60,000 Taka.
In Japan, unskilled workers earn 180,000 Taka, while skilled workers earn 240,000 Taka. In South Korea, unskilled workers receive 170,000 Taka, and skilled workers receive 220,000 Taka. In Singapore, unskilled workers earn 200,000 Taka, and skilled workers earn 280,000 Taka. In Taiwan, unskilled workers earn 130,000 Taka, and skilled workers earn 180,000 Taka. In China, unskilled workers earn 60,000 Taka, and skilled workers earn 90,000 Taka. In Malaysia, unskilled workers earn 45,000 Taka, and skilled workers earn 65,000 Taka. In Thailand, unskilled workers earn 40,000 Taka, and skilled workers earn 60,000 Taka. In Indonesia, unskilled workers earn 35,000 Taka, and skilled workers earn 50,000 Taka. In the Philippines, unskilled workers earn 32,000 Taka, and skilled workers earn 45,000 Taka. In Vietnam, unskilled workers earn 30,000 Taka, and skilled workers earn 42,000 Taka.
Here is an overview of wages in the garment sector across several countries in Africa and Oceania. In Mauritius, unskilled workers earn 25,000 Taka, while skilled workers earn 36,000 Taka. In Namibia, unskilled workers earn 22,000 Taka and skilled workers earn 31,000 Taka. In Botswana, unskilled workers earn 24,000 Taka and skilled workers earn 34,000 Taka. In Zimbabwe, unskilled workers earn 12,000 Taka and skilled workers earn 17,000 Taka. In Zambia, unskilled workers earn 13,000 Taka and skilled workers earn 18,000 Taka. In Australia, unskilled workers earn 310,000 Taka and skilled workers earn 420,000 Taka. In New Zealand, unskilled workers earn 300,000 Taka and skilled workers earn 410,000 Taka. In Fiji, unskilled workers earn 35,000 Taka and skilled workers earn 50,000 Taka. In Papua New Guinea, unskilled workers earn 28,000 Taka and skilled workers earn 40,000 Taka. In Samoa, unskilled workers earn 30,000 Taka and skilled workers earn 42,000 Taka.
In the countries of the Middle East, a different economic reality exists regarding the wages of garment workers. In the United Arab Emirates, unskilled workers earn 80,000 Taka, while skilled workers earn 115,000 Taka. In Saudi Arabia, unskilled workers earn 70,000 Taka and skilled workers earn 100,000 Taka. In Oman, unskilled workers earn 65,000 Taka and skilled workers earn 92,000 Taka. In Qatar, unskilled workers earn 85,000 Taka and skilled workers earn 120,000 Taka. In Kuwait, unskilled workers earn 75,000 Taka and skilled workers earn 105,000 Taka. In Bahrain, unskilled workers earn 60,000 Taka and skilled workers earn 85,000 Taka. In Jordan, unskilled workers earn 35,000 Taka and skilled workers earn 50,000 Taka. In Lebanon, unskilled workers earn 25,000 Taka and skilled workers earn 35,000 Taka. In Turkey, unskilled workers earn 50,000 Taka, while skilled workers earn 72,000 Taka. In Iran, unskilled workers earn 22,000 Taka, and skilled workers earn 32,000 Taka.
In other European nations, high wages are mandatory to ensure a decent standard of living for workers. In Switzerland, unskilled workers earn 320,000 Taka, and skilled workers earn 450,000 Taka. In Denmark, unskilled workers earn 295,000 Taka, and skilled workers earn 410,000 Taka. In Finland, unskilled workers earn 275,000 Taka, and skilled workers earn 385,000 Taka. In Ireland, unskilled workers earn 265,000 Taka, and skilled workers earn 370,000 Taka. In Iceland, unskilled workers earn 290,000 Taka, and skilled workers earn 400,000 Taka. In Luxembourg, unskilled workers earn 310,000 Taka, and skilled workers earn 430,000 Taka. In Cyprus, unskilled workers earn 105,000 Taka, and skilled workers earn 145,000 Taka. In Malta, unskilled workers earn 110,000 Taka, and skilled workers earn 150,000 Taka. In Slovenia, unskilled workers earn 115,000 Taka, and skilled workers earn 160,000 Taka. In Estonia, unskilled workers earn 95,000 Taka, and skilled workers earn 140,000 Taka.
Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain is an
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