Bangladesh, which is rocked by violent demonstrations by garment workers seeking pay hikes, has given a six-month PR assignment to Haley Barbour's BGR Government Affairs.

The D.C.-headquartered firm is to handle outreach to the media, academia and key influencers.

An estimated 200K protesters have closed factories and blocked traffic in the quest for an increase in the $38 per-month minimum wage, which has been in effect since 2010.

Workers are looking for pay increases to $100 per-month, which is more than twice the $46 offer made by factory owners.

Bangladesh's clothing exports have soared 50 percent since during the past two years as companies—lured by the low-wage cost structure-- shifted production there from China.

That apparel is sold at retailers including Wal-Mart, Gap, H&M and JCPenney.

The government has deployed paramilitary forces equipped with teargas and rubber bullets in a bid to restore order.

Earlier this year, Bangladesh suffered the collapse of a shoddily built clothing factory that killed more than 1,100 people.

BGR, which receives a $20K monthly retainer, reports to Bangladesh’s U.S. ambassador, Akramul Qader.