Dhaka:Thirty-five labor federations representing four major alliances have called for the minimum monthly wage for ready-made garment (RMG) workers to be set at Tk 37,125, equivalent to $300.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the labor leaders pressed for the establishment of a new minimum wage board for the 2026-2029 term. They emphasized the necessity of including genuine worker representatives as members of this board. The demands were articulated during a joint press conference held at the Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), presided over by Shah Md. Abu Zafar, a prominent alliance leader and former Member of Parliament.
During the conference, labor leaders highlighted the statutory provisions outlined in national and international labor laws, as well as Article 15 of the Bangladesh Constitution and Section 141 of the Bangladesh Labour Act. These provisions dictate the determination of wages based on 11 criteria, including cost of living, productivity, and socio-economic conditions. They asserted that the proposed Tk 37,125 minimum wage aligns with these criteria and current market realities.
The speakers noted the significant contribution of the RMG sector to the national economy, with $38.70 billion earned from total exports of $48 billion in the 2025-26 fiscal year. Despite a decrease in the number of active factories and workers, the sector's revenues have grown, underscoring the need for wages to reflect the rising cost of living.
Citing research, the leaders argued that monthly expenses for a worker's family could range from Tk 57,000 to Tk 70,000, which validates their demand for a minimum wage that meets these costs, considering additional expenses like healthcare and education.
The labor federations urged the government to consider various economic factors, including market prices and productivity, when setting the wage. They stressed the importance of setting the entry-level minimum wage for assistant operators at Tk 37,125 to align with industry realities and employer capacities.
The press conference was attended by prominent trade union leaders and representatives from the federations, who united in calling for swift government action to establish the new wage board.