Bangladesh garment factories close as workers clash with police in pay protests

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Police in Bangladesh fired tear gas and used stun grenades Wednesday to disperse garment workers protesting for higher wages, police and witnesses said.

Hundreds of factories remained shut after days of protests disrupted the country’s garment industry, which earns about $40 billion a year from exports. Bangladesh has some 2,500 garment factories.

Workers are demanding a minimum monthly wage of 30,000 takas ($245), up from 12,500 takas. They say rising living costs and inflation have eroded their purchasing power.

The industry employs about 4 million workers, mostly women from rural Bangladesh.

After days of demonstrations in the capital, Dhaka, violence was reported in several industrial areas on its outskirts.

In Fatullah, in Narayanganj district outside Dhaka, dozens of people were injured in clashes between protesters and police, according to media reports. Police fired tear gas and used stun grenades.

Prothom Alo, Bangladesh’s largest Bengali-language daily, reported that police arrested several protesters in Fatullah.

About 100 factories remain shut in Ashulia, in Savar near Dhaka, said Mominul Islam Bhuiyan, superintendent of Ashulia Industrial Police.

Workers also blocked a major highway in Gazipur district, another major industrial hub.

More than 10,000 police officers had been deployed in Dhaka’s Mirpur area, an epicenter of recent protests, to maintain order, said Mahidul Islam, a joint police commissioner.

The government has responded to the wage demands by forming a new wage board.

The board’s chairman, Syed Azad Subhani, said workers would receive their first salaries under the new pay scale in January.

A policeman shoots a teargas shell at a group of garment workers protesting over wages, in Narayanganj, Bangladesh, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)

Police personnel disperse to control a group of garment workers protesting over wages, in Narayanganj, Bangladesh, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)

A tear gas shell explodes in front of garment workers protesting over wages in Narayanganj, Bangladesh, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)

Police personnel and onlookers run away to protect themselves from stones thrown by a group of garment workers protesting over wages, in Narayanganj, Bangladesh, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)

HOUSTON (AP) — Ayo Dosunmu had 21 points and Jonathan Kuminga powered a fourth-quarter run that allowed the Minnesota Timberwolves to pull away for a 117-107 win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.

Minnesota led by two before a 3-pointer from Kuminga, a steal by Dosunmu and a tip-in by Kuminga made it 111-104 with about two minutes remaining.

Kevin Durant made two free throws for Houston before another 3 by Kuminga extended the lead to 114-106 with less than a minute to go.

LaMelo Ball scored 12 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter for Minnesota after finishing with a season-high 34 in his previous game.

Alperen Sengun had his 13th career triple-double with 17 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Rockets as they lost for just the second time this season. Durant added 21 points and Fred VanVleet had 18.

Kuminga finished with 16 points and eight rebounds. Jaden McDaniels had 14 points and eight boards for the Timberwolves.

The Rockets led by two midway through the fourth quarter before Ball scored seven points during a 10-2 run that gave the Timberwolves a 104-98 lead with about five minutes to play.

Sengun made one of two free throws before a 3-pointer by VanVleet got the Rockets within 104-102 about a minute later.

Already without star Anthony Edwards for up to two months after arthroscopic knee surgery, the Timberwolves also played without guard Terrence Shannon Jr., who missed his second straight game with a bruised hip.

Kuminga received a flagrant foul 1 in the second quarter after elbowing Sengun in the jaw and knocking him to the court.

Timberwolves: Visit New Orleans on Friday night.

Rockets: Visit Phoenix on Saturday night.

See AP’s full NBA coverage here

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu, bottom, calls a time out as Houston Rockets guard Fred Vanvleet defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Houston Rockets guard Fred Vanvleet, left, shoots as Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) shoots as Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jonathan Kuminga defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Bones Hyland reacts after making a three point basket against the Houston Rockets during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu , right, drives to the basket as Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)