Wage Board to set RMG workers’ minimum wage soon: Salahuddin

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed talking to reporters at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday. UNB

Dhaka, Nov 2 --Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday said that the minimum wage for garment workers will be announced as soon as possible after necessary discussions.

The minister said a Wage Board has already been formed with representatives from both workers and employers.

“The board may hold its first meeting today. If not, the meeting will take place very soon, and the minimum wage will be fixed within a specific timeframe through discussions,” he added.

He made the remarks while talking to reporters at the Secretariat after a meeting with leaders of garment industry associations, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA).

Salahuddin Ahmed alleged that some industrial owners, including former MPs, ministers and state ministers, were involved in instigating labour unrest in the garment sector and had links to banned organisations.

He warned that those trying to create instability and undermine law and order in the name of labour movements would face firm action.

"The Prime Minister has given directives and guidance to ensure that workers' interests are protected and their living standards improved. He has stressed that all relevant factors must be considered with the utmost empathy when determining the wages," he said.

The minister noted that the current three-year wage cycle would end in December.

The board would consult all stakeholders and determine the minimum wage in line with the current realities. Therefore, he said, there was no reason for unrest, he said.

Referring to alleged political instigation behind the labour unrest, the Home Minister said some groups linked to the ousted autocratic regime had been using innocent workers to create instability over the past few days.

"Some industrial and mill owners are involved, as are certain groups operating under the banner of labour organisations, although it is questionable whether they genuinely care about workers' welfare. These people have fuelled the unrest and violence. By staging protests on the streets, they are trying to destabilise the country, which does not serve workers' interests in any way," he said.

"Just yesterday, we brought some such individuals under the purview of the law. We have also collected video footage and other evidence of their activities. We have audio recordings, video footage and visual clips of various violent incidents," he said.

The Home Minister also sought cooperation from employers and asked them to provide a list of industrial owners who had deliberately kept their factories closed.

The minister also said some labour leaders were trying to incite instability. Employers had been asked to provide a list of the organisations and individuals involved.

"We believe that no genuine worker or labour organisation would engage in activities that go against workers' interests. As you have also pointed out, those instigating the unrest include identified miscreants linked to fallen political forces. They are not workers," he said.

He added that genuine workers and labour union leaders would never want to destroy their own livelihoods.

The minister urged anyone who might have become involved in such activities, perhaps unknowingly, to stop immediately.

Labour and Employment Minister  Ariful Haque Choudhury, Prime Minister's Adviser Mahdi Amin, and Advocate Shamsur Rahman Simul Biswas, MP for Pabna-5 and chief coordinator of the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, were also present at the meeting. - UNB