Dhaka:The workers' side has proposed setting the minimum monthly wage for readymade garment workers at Taka 32,000, with an additional recommendation of Taka 30,000 for newly recruited or trainee workers. This proposal was presented during the second meeting of the Minimum Wage Board held at its office in Segunbagicha.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the meeting, which lasted three hours, was chaired by Minimum Wage Board Chairman Syed Azad Subhani. The board included several key participants independent member and Dhaka University Professor Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, employers' representative and BGMEA Director A B M Shamsuddin, workers' representative and BGIWF General Secretary Babul Akhter, permanent workers' representative Anwar Hossain, and permanent employers' representative Asif Ayub.
A B M Shamsuddin mentioned that factory owners are focusing on maintaining operations amid recent unrest in the industrial areas around Dhaka, which has led them to request more time to finalize their wage proposal. While the employers initially sought seven working days, the board agreed to a four-day extension for proposal submission.
Chairman Syed Azad Subhani emphasized that the board will move forward with its decision-making process even if the employers fail to submit their proposal at the next meeting. Two unanimous decisions were reached during the meeting board members will visit garment factories to assess workers' conditions, and Professor Mosleh Uddin Ahmed will review international wage indicators, potentially consulting with Dhaka University's IBA and other experts.
The board aims to finalize the new wage structure by December, with the goal of implementing it in time for workers to receive increased wages in January.