RMG workers' wages meagre, new wage structure soon: PM

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FE Report
Pledging to announce new wages for apparel workers, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Tuesday the current minimum wages of 1,662 taka in the sector is too meagre to meet ends.
"A worker can't sustain his or her life with this kind of wage," she said.
"Be patient. We'll unveil a new wage structure for garment workers as immediate as possible," Hasina said while meeting leaders of Mahila Jubo League and Mahila Sramik League at Ganobhaban, her official residence.
The Prime Minister's announcement came a day after workers staged protest in Ashulia over pay hike, leading to the temporary closure of more than two dozen garment factories.
Some 1,700 employees of Magpie Garment Limited continued Tuesday their protest programme, although the owners reopened the unit.
Last month production in over 700 garment factories in Ashulia-the major textiles and clothing hub after the capital-came to a screeching halt when workers took to the street, demanding a minimum wage of 5,000 taka.
Apparel industry is Bangladesh's top foreign currency earner, accounting for 80 per cent of US$15.56 billion merchandise exports last year. Nearly 3.0 million workers, mostly female, labour in the sector for a monthly salary of Tk 1,662 ($25).
The Prime Minister urged workers not to be involved in violence and rampage as anarchy would not benefit employees, rather owners insured against factory damage would reap the gains out of industrial trouble.
"You the workers will pay the price for the attacks on garment factories," Hasina said.
"I've already spoken to the Minister and he told me that the new wage structure (for garment workers) will be announced immediately," Hasina said about her conversation with Labour and Employment Minister.
She also blamed a vested quarter for igniting frequent industrial riots in the country.