Dhaka:Leaders of Bangladesh's readymade garment (RMG) sector have assured workers of a prompt revision of the minimum wage, highlighting the newly formed Wage Board's rapid commencement of work. They have urged workers to return to their jobs and maintain industrial peace.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Mahmud Hasan Khan and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) President Mohammad Hatem addressed a press conference at the Ministry of Labour and Employment. They emphasized the urgency and unprecedented speed of the wage board's process, which began with its first meeting today.
The Minimum Wage Board, recently constituted, has set a timeline for the wage revision process, and apparel leaders have assured that factory owners will adhere to the board's deadline. BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem noted that the board's first meeting occurred just three days post-formation, marking a historical pace in the country's wage revision initiatives.
The apparel leaders warned against industrial disruptions, suggesting that it could negatively impact the garment industry and the economy. They expressed concerns about possible exploitation of the situation by vested interests aiming to destabilize the sector.
The BKMEA proposed several welfare measures to ensure that wage increases lead to better living standards for workers. This included enforcing the House Rent Control Act to prevent arbitrary rent hikes, introducing rationing facilities, establishing healthcare facilities in industrial zones, and constructing dormitories in major industrial hubs.
They emphasized collaboration among the government, factory owners, and labor organizations to protect workers' interests and find a sustainable wage solution. Workers were urged to remain patient, trust the wage board process, and return to work to support normal production and industrial harmony. A peaceful environment, they argued, would facilitate smooth deliberations by the wage board, benefiting workers, employers, and the national economy.