Workers' wages at EPZs up by 60pc

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FE Report
Export zones regulator BEPZA has raised minimum wages for employees of industrial units located in eight industrial parks by nearly 60 per cent.
The wages hike by Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority came after a gap of 21 years. It revised wages last time for the workers in 1989.
The new wages, however, will be implemented from November 1, officials at BEPZA said. The country's 5000-odd garment factories will also implement new payrolls from November 1.
The authority has broadly made three categories for implementation of the new wages.
It has re-fixed minimum wages at Tk 3350 or US$ 48, nearly 60 per cent hike, a month for helpers working in garment, garment accessories, shoes, leather products, support services, tent, plastic products, toys, caps, hats and other related industries. Since 1989, workers were getting wages of Tk 2100 or $ 30 a month.
The apprentice workers in the industries will get Tk 2700 or $39 against Tk 1400 or $20 a month earlier.
The revised monthly wages for junior operators serving with electronics, software, lenses, glass products, metal and metal casting, automobiles parts, heavy industries, cosmetics, boats, golf shafts, fishing equipments and other related industries will be Tk 4065 or $ 58.
The apprentice operators in the industries will be entitled to get Tk 2840 or $ 41 against Tk 1540 or $22 a month.
The BEPZA re-fixed minimum wages at Tk 3700 or $53 for the unskilled workers working in textile, chemical, dying, oil, refinery, agro products, furniture, wood, bamboo and related industries.
The apprentice workers for the factories will get Tk 2700 or $39 from the next month against Tk 1400 or $ 20 a month.
Apart from this, 10 per cent annual increment will be given on basic wages, BEPZA officials said.
The state-run exports zones under the BEPZA generated employment from 269,231 people till September this year.