Govt forms wage board for RMG workers

The government formed a wage board on Sunday for reviewing the minimum wage of ready-made garment (RMG) workers.

The new wage board, headed by District Judge Syed Aminul Islam, has been asked to submit its recommendations within the next six months.

Other members of the wage board are: President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Md Siddiqur Rahman, Women Affairs Adviser of Jatiya Sramik League Begum Shamsunnahar, Labour Adviser of Bangladesh Employers Federation Kazi Saifuddin Ahmed, Executive President of Sramik League Fazlul Haqu Mantu and Prof Kamal Uddin of Dhaka University.

State Minister for Labour and Employment Md Mujibul Haque disclosed the formation of the wage board through a press briefing at his ministry.

Earlier, the government formed the minimum wage board for RMG workers in 2013.

"As per the labour law we have formed the minimum wage board for the garment sector labourers before the expiry of five years (of forming the previous board)," the state minister said.

Mr Mujibul Haque called upon the labourers not to indulge in any conspiracy trap, hatched by vested quarters.

He said the minimum wage board will submit their recommendations on the salary structure for RMG sector labourers after consultations with the owners and labourers.

He expressed hope that the government will be able to announce minimum wage before December upon getting the wage board's recommendations.

"We hope the government will fulfil our hopes and aspirations regarding the wage structure for garment sector," a labour of the garment sector preferring anonymity told the FE.

Acting Labour Secretary Afroza Khan, the BGMEA President, former president of FBCCI and managing director of Ha-Mim Group A K Azad and vice-president of BGMEA Md Nasir Uddin, among others, were present in the press briefing.

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