Tk32,000 minimum monthly wage proposed for garment workers

Labour representatives have proposed a minimum monthly wage of Tk32,000 for workers in the country’s ready-made garment (RMG) sector. 

They have also proposed setting the minimum wage at Tk30,000 for new or apprentice workers.

The proposal was made at the second meeting of the Minimum Wage Board, held at its office in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, on Monday. 

The details were disclosed at a joint press briefing after a three-hour meeting.

The meeting was chaired by Syed Azad Subhani, the board’s chairman.

At the briefing, labours’ representative and Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers Federation (BGIWF) General Secretary Babul Akhter outlined the proposal, saying that a worker needs Tk45,000 to Tk60,000 a month to maintain a decent standard of living for a family of four, considering nutritional and calorie requirements, house rent, medical expenses and education costs.

However, taking into account the industry's capacity and the overall situation, they proposed a minimum wage of Tk32,000 for the fourth grade, he said.

The owners’ side was scheduled to submit its written proposal at the meeting but failed to do so.

Minimum Wage Board Chairman Syed Azad Subhani instructed the owners’ representatives to submit their proposal within four working days. 

“Even if the owners fail to submit their proposal at the next meeting, we will move forward with the decision-making process. We will not wait for their proposal,” he added.

Both owners’ and labours’ representatives held their first meeting on 4 November.

The government formed the six-member board for RMG workers on 1 November under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, amid widespread protests.