About half the industrial disputes that took place last year in Bangladesh were in the garment sector. The next highest incidence of industrial disputes was seen in the transport sector, followed by tobacco, agriculture, sugar and waterways transports.

Some 40 per cent of the disputes took place over arrears, 25 per cent over rights and other claims, ten per cent for closure of the factories, eight per cent for beating workers, four per cent for over-time allowance and four per cent for compensation.

A total 68 demonstrations, 21 human chains, 18 strikes, 15 road blocks and 12 gatherings was seen last year. Of the total, 307 were killed in the transport sector, making it the deadliest sector, followed by construction at 131. Almost 517, including 109 female, workers were injured in their workplaces last year. Of the number, 158 were in the garment sector, which is the highest, followed by construction at 91.

Since the garment sector is the largest in the country, the number of disputes is bound to be higher than in other sectors. Some 4.4 million workers are directly employed in the apparel sector in the country in more than 4,000 active garment factories. And if backward and forward linkage industries are included, the number would surpass a crore.