In June 2021, the provincial government in Sindh, Pakistan, announced a 43% minimum wage increase for garment workers, from 17,5000 rupees (approx. $99.86) to 25,000 rupees (approx. $142.65).

However, employers rejected the wage increase, stating it was "humanly impossible" to fulfil, and submitted a petition to the Sindh High Court. In October 2021, the Sindh High Court upheld the Sindh government’s decision to increase the minimum wage to 25,000 rupees, announcing the government as a “competent authority to fix, announce and declare the minimum wage.” The[AK1] employers argued the government had failed to properly consult with the Sindh Minimum Wage Board (SMWB) and vowed to take the case to the Supreme Court of Pakistan, threatening to leave the province if the 25,000 minimum wage persisted.

In December 2021, the Supreme Court suspended the wage hike, after petitioning by trade groups. The petitioners stated that the rules require the SMWB to propose a minimum wage then submit it to the provincial government, and that if the government disagrees with the minimum wage, it must refer it back to the board for reconsideration. The court decided to set up a three-judge bench to hear the matter in January 2022.

In January 2022, the Supreme Court gave the SMWB two months to renegotiate the minimum wage. Until then, the three-member bench directed the Sindh government to fix the minimum wage at 19,000 rupees.

In March 2022, it was reported that the Supreme Court had ruled the Sindh government acted against the 2015 Sindh Minimum Wages Act by raising the minimum wage to 25,000 rupees, without referring the decision back to the SWMB.

The National Trade Union Federation Pakistan has criticised brands sourcing from Sindh - including Bestseller, C&A, Gap, H&M and Levi Strauss & Co. - whose suppliers are attempting to "undermine this hard won-wage raise". It said the brands "share responsibility for their suppliers’ behaviour and must ensure that workers receive the 25,000 rupees they fought so hard for" and described the non-payment of the initially proposed 40% increase as "wage theft on a huge scale".

H&M said it has "made it clear" to suppliers that they must pay workers the legal minimum wage, including all arrears, and that all suppliers they work with in Sindh are paying the new minimum wage of 19,000 rupees. C&A also stated it requires suppliers in Sindh to pay wages that "meet or exceed" the legal minimum wage. Gap declined to comment, while Levi Strauss and Bestseller did not respond to journalist requests. Company comments can be found in the articles below.

In June 2022, the Sindh Wage Board announced workers would receive a 40% increase in minimum wage for unskilled workers, to take effect retroactively from 1 June 2022.