Implement minimum wages for garment workers by Aug 31

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FE Report
The government gave Sunday a fresh ultimatum until August 31 to implement minimum wages for the workers in the country's garment factories.
The earlier deadline for implementation of minimum wages in the garment sector expired June 30.
"We have decided to extend the deadline in view of the rapid progress in implementation of the minimum wages for the garment workers. But we will take stern action under the existing rules if any garment factory fails to implement the wages by the timeframe," said Labour and Employment Adviser Mohammed Anowarul Iqbal.
He said this at a meeting with the leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
BGMEA president Anwarul Alam Chowdhury Parvez, first vice president Ma Salam and other front ranking leaders were present at the meeting.
The BGMEA at a meeting with the labour and employment adviser earlier pledged to implement the minimum wages by June 30 last.
The minimum monthly wages at Tk 1662.50 were fixed at a tripartite deal involving the government, the unions and the industry.
The government at the meeting was informed that only 58, out of 4,000, garment factories are paying minimum wages.
The government said many of those which have implemented the minimum wages are still depriving the workers of some benefits like maternity allowances and overtime.
While taking to the FE, BGMEA president said it sought lists of the factories which have failed to implement the minimum wages by June 30.
He said: "We will sit with the owners of the factories which are not offering the minimum wages to their workers."
"I think the factories will also comply with recommendations of the Minimum Wages Board by the August 31," BGMEA president added.