The union leaders have demanded setting Tk 16,000 as minimum wage for the country's apparel workers.
Workers bodies including Bangladesh Garments Industry Workers’ Federation, Combined Garments Worker Federation, and Bangladesh Metal Chemical Garments and Tailors Workers’ Federation placed the demand at a protest programme in the city on Friday (Jul 13).
Addressing the progamme, the union leaders said, “Formed in January, the wage board (for apparel workers) has sat twice only.”
“The board does not abide by the rules as it submits no recommendation on minimum wages after scrutinising the data of six months as well as the owners’ and the workers’ proposal.
“It seems the board is carrying out the agenda of the owners,” claimed the leaders.
Citing the 100-percent wage rise for the state-owned factories, the leaders urged the committee’s to place the recommendation on setting the minimum wage at Tk 16,000 by Jul 31.
“If the committee delays they would wage further movement taking workers with them,” warned the union leaders.