Dhaka:Labour leaders have called for the new minimum wage for ready-made garment workers to be implemented starting January 2027, urging the Minimum Wage Board to accelerate its proceedings and finalize the wage structure swiftly.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the demand was put forward at a press conference held at Labour Bhaban on Monday by Babul Akhter, a workers' representative on the Minimum Wage Board and a prominent labour leader.
The leaders emphasized the necessity of holding consecutive meetings of the wage board with minimal intervals between sessions, suggesting that members engage in overnight discussions if needed to reach a prompt decision. Akhter explained that the last minimum wage was announced in December 2023, marking the completion of three years by December 2026.
Akhter criticized the delays in the formation of the board, stating that it was established much later than legally required. He also raised concerns about the alleged harassment of labour union leaders and workers, claiming that they were being indiscriminately arrested and implicated in false cases as a means to suppress their movement.
In addition, Akhter called for the immediate release of detained workers and urged the withdrawal of what he described as false charges against them. He also appealed to workers to return to their workplaces and avoid sudden protests or agitations. Several other labour leaders were present at the press conference to support these demands.
Source United News of Bangladesh