We appreciate the government for announcing the fresh minimum wage for RMG workers Taka 12,500 with 5% annual increment.
The minimum wage will increase by 56.25 percent. It will increase from Taka 8,000 to Taka 12,500. The new wage structure would be effective from next December 1.
At present the minimum wage for the RMG workers is Taka 8000. Garment workers have been protesting for the last two weeks demanding wage hike. The RMG workers have long been demanding for raise in their wages.
However, a section of workers from several garment factories in Gazipur, Ashulia, Savar and other places of the country rejecting the latest wage hike, continued blocking the highways and roads, demanding a minimum basic salary of Tk 23,000. They also vandalised and torched several vehicles on the highways and roads.
New wage structure will
enhance workers’ productivity
and resource efficiency
We are also noticing a vested interest group led by BNP-Jamaat clique is trying to create anarchy, violence or sabotage among RMG workers through misinformation and rumours or providing provoking information in their own interests. Since October 28, the RMG workers of various garments factories in the country started their agitation demanding an increase in their salaries and allowances and other benefits.
The RMG workers should not listen to any kind of rumours and they must refrain themselves from involving in any kind of sabotage including agitation, riots, commotion and arson in factories under the instigation of anyone else. Shunning the path of violence the RMG workers should return to their workplaces as their minimum wage has been declared.
The garments sector – the jewel in Bangladesh’s export crown, with exports reaching over $46.99 billion in the fiscal year 2023 must be protected from the vested interest group at any cost. Therefore, the authorities will have to take stern action against anyone who tries to create chaos or sabotage by inciting workers of the garment sector or spreading rumours.
We believe the new wage structure will enhance workers’ productivity and resource efficiency to promote sustainable growth in Bangladesh’s apparel industry.