The minimum wage of garment workers has been fixed at Tk 12,500. The minimum wage for garment workers was last fixed in 2018. Accordingly, the garment workers were getting a minimum wage of eight thousand rupees. The minimum wage has increased by Tk 4,500 compared to earlier. State Minister for Labor and Employment Mannujan Sufian announced the wages at the secretariat on Tuesday (November 7). The state minister also said that the new wages will be effective from December 1. Mannujan Sufian said, “On the instructions of the Prime Minister, the new wages have been determined quickly with the representatives of the owners and workers and neutral representatives. Working people have been agitating for a long time to increase wages. A decision has been reached through discussions led by the Chairman of the Wage Board about the owner and the workers. He said, “If there is any variation in wages, we always approach Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as the last resort.” According to his verbal instructions, today I am announcing the minimum wage for garment factory workers. “Here are the interests of the working people and the state. If the industry survives, the workers will survive. Industry is closely related to workers. Wages are being announced keeping both sides in mind. Stating that the wages will increase by 56.25 percent, the state minister said, ‘8 thousand to 12.5 thousand taka has been increased. The 5 percent increment remains in place. He also said, ‘The workers have a demand for ration. There, the Prime Minister said, a family card for a family will have as many members as can manage the card. Later, the Prime Minister said to introduce the rationing system through this card. “I will appeal to everyone who is a labor leader and owner, you will open the factory, I will tell the labor brothers to join the work. I would appeal to both sides for the owners to play a tolerant role. This is because people do a lot of things because of their stomach, whether they make mistakes or make mistakes in this movement. By looking at them with a forgiving eye, they can participate properly in the work.’ Mannujan Sufian said, “I will tell the labor brothers and sisters that art is your life.” If this industry is closed, you, the owner, will suffer first, but you will suffer later. So keeping that in mind, go about your work peacefully and make the factory work. The wheel of economy is with you. Don’t let that wheel stop. You will join the work and bring industrial peace, you have contributed to the development of the country. It is our request not to listen to any kind of provocative words. The Minister of State for Labor and Employment has called upon the owners to waive the rent of industrial areas due to the agitation and blockade. Siddiqur Rahman, representative of the owners in the minimum wage board, said that the owners are always tolerant. When the workers vandalize in front of the owners, we never take action against our workers. We are tolerant enough to keep the factory closed even after the workers did not work. He also said, ‘December salary will be in the light of new salary. The Gazette will do it now, if there is any correction it will do it within 14 days. Earlier on Tuesday morning at 11:30 a.m., the meeting started under the chairmanship of Minimum Wage Board Chairman Liaquat Ali Mollah to determine the minimum wage. In the meeting of the wage board, the representatives of the owners and workers agreed on the decision. Earlier, against the proposal of 20 thousand 393 rupees given by the representative of the workers in the wage board, the owner side offered 10 thousand 400 rupees. The average difference between the two sides is about half. Infuriated by this, the workers went on strike. Two garment workers of Gazipur died in the agitation. Chairman of Minimum Wage Board Liaquat Ali Mollah, Additional Secretary of Ministry of Labor and Employment Toufiqul Arif, President of BKMEA Salim Osman, former President of BGMEA Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, Labor Representative Sirajul Islam Roni were present during the announcement of wages.
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