Bangladesh has readjusted six grades in the wage structure for readymade garment (RMG) workers.
Labour and Employment Minister Monnuzan Sufian made the announcement on Sunday (Jan 13) after a tripartite meeting between the government, factory owners’ body and workers’ representatives.
The labour union leaders agreed and signed on the new pay scale in the meeting, added Sufian.
Emerging from the meeting Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin said, “Those who vandalized garments factories in the name of protests in the last few days must be strongly contained.”
He called on the garments workers to immediately return to work.

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, who was also present during the announcement, said, “The RMG workers will get paid under the new scale starting from this January.”

The additional amount for the month of December according to the new scale will be added to the January salary, said the minister.
National Garments Worker Federation Amirul Haque assured that the workers will get back to work from Monday (Jan 14)
Labour Secretary Afroza Khan, Commerce Secretary Mofizul Islam were present among others during the announcement.
Labour Secretary Afroza Khan presided over the meeting attended by Salam Murshedi MP, Atikur Rahman, Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin and AK Azad who represented the factory owners.
On the workers' behalf Nazma Akter, Fazlul Haque Montu and Amirul Islam were present.

Last week at least one worker was killed and dozens wounded during protests over salaries, prompting the government to form a panel of factory owners, union leaders and government officials to investigate the pay demands. On Sunday at least 20 people were hurt at in further clashes between protesters and police outside Dhaka.

Low wages and trade deals with Western countries have made the RMG sector a $30 billion industry accounting for 80 percent of exports, making Bangladesh the world's second-biggest garment exporter behind China.

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