Food Costs Push Bangladesh to Brink of Unrest

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Poverty Rising With Food Prices in Bangladesh

Frustrations over inflation are increasing in Bangladesh, and many fear that it could ultimately undermine the stability of one of the world's poorest countries.

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"We were farm people," Norjaham said, as she cradled her ashen-looking child. "We never wanted to be here in the first place. But the waters came over us like an ocean and took away our house."

Although destitute by any standard, they were managing to feed themselves with the money her daughter Joshna, 20, was earning as a maid. But she recently lost the job and now with the food price increases, they are barely surviving on salad leaves and small amounts of rice. They recently accepted a loan from a relative to be able to eat.

"We haven't had a full stomach in months, and work is very hard to find," said Joshna, who said she is on a waiting list for a job as a sewing-machine operator. "There isn't much we can do. The prices are just too high. We can't go back to the village. The land has eroded."

In some parts of the north, where harvests have been low, Bangladeshis are suffering from what is called monga, a near faminelike condition whereby villagers often skip meals and eat only tiny amounts of food. The country's food and disaster management minister, A.M.M. Shawkat Ali, said rising global food prices have created a "hidden hunger" among poor Bangladeshis.

"It has intensified," he said. "And the government will continue to offer food at reduced costs for as long as we need to. We simply have to."

Some, however, see use of the military to guard rice shops as an ominous sign.

"How long can the government possibly keep things stable?" said Sajjad Zohir, head of the Dhaka Economic Research Group. "There's a real danger, particularly if political stability doesn't return and prices for food keep going up. Things will only get worse."

Bangladesh has a history of political turmoil. There have been 22 coup attempts -- some successful -- since its independence from Pakistan in 1971. The country has been under emergency rule and run by a military-backed caretaker government since disputed elections were called off in January 2007.

The government has been tough on the country's infamous corruption and has garnered public support for its crackdown on graft. Still, many Bangladeshis say the government was too slow in addressing rising food costs. Their anger has been kept in check by the ban on public demonstrations, activists say, but the recent protests by garment workers -- which the government permitted -- may set a precedent for flouting the rules.

"If it weren't for emergency rule, there would be revolution right now. Things that would be happening in this country would be unbelievable," said Nazima Akter, 33, president of the United Garment Workers Federation, which has 20,000 members. "People are already really fed up when they are working hard -- sometimes 12 hours a day -- and they still can't afford basics."

Fearing growing unrest, the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association recently started selling rice to workers at subsidized prices. The group represents 1,500 outlets, which contract with American companies. It has contacted the U.S. companies about raising prices for garments -- "even a little bit," said Fazlul Haq, president of the organization.

That money would give workers a temporary food allowance, Haq said. "The workers' demands are not unreasonable," he said. "We do feel for them. And we are in discussions with the buyers abroad. The worry is that costs of fabrics are also rising. It's a bad circle."

Target, the company that buys the jeans Dulalmia produces, said in a statement that it requires vendors to pay at least minimum wage and that the company "works directly with our vendors to address any issues identified."

Meanwhile, there is fear here that the food crisis in Bangladesh will get worse if buyers from the United States and Europe reduce their orders and prices because of a slowdown in their own economies.

For now, at least, selling rice at discounted prices has brought some goodwill.

"Our main concern as human beings is that we need to stand beside our workers," said Haq, the knitwear association leader, as he looked out over the crowded city from his high-rise offices. "This is a very serious moment in history."

Researcher Robert E. Thomason in Washington contributed to this report.