BGWS seeks Tk 25k minimum wage for RMG workers

The Bangladesh Garment Workers Solidarity (BGWS) staged a demonstration on Thursday, demanding Tk 25,000 monthly minimum wage for the country's ready-made garment (RMG) sector workers.
They also criticised the government's decision of reducing fuel oil price only by Tk 5.0 per litre against the previous 40-50 per cent price hike of all fuel oils.
They opined that the price reduction failed to make any visible change in transport fares and essential commodity prices, according to a statement.
The organisation demanded formation of a new wage board for the RMG sector immediately to raise the workers' minimum monthly wage to Tk 25,000.
The BGWS leaders made the demands at the demonstration in front of the National Press Club in the city - following the high cost of living due to the price hike of essentials.
The government in 2018 fixed the minimum monthly wage for an entry-level worker at Tk 8,000 with an annual 5.0 per cent increment. A joint study of CPD and Christian Aid revealed that although the monthly income of an RMG worker increased by 1.7 per cent in March 2022, their family expenditure swelled by 9.5 per cent.
In March 2022, a worker was paid Tk 11,993 and Tk 15,633 excluding and including overtime respectively, according to the study findings.
"Such a rise in wage payment is perhaps related to their higher number of working hours and days to meet the commitment of timely shipment of export orders."
Addressing the demonstration rally, the labour leaders said the prices of daily essentials skyrocketed due to the recent fuel price hike.
The government raised diesel and kerosene oil prices to Tk 114 per litre from Tk 80 per litre and then decreased to Tk 109 per litre.
Petrol and octane prices were raised to Tk 114 per litre and Tk 130 per litre from Tk 80 per litre and Tk 86 per litre respectively and were later reduced to Tk 109 per litre and Tk 125 per litre.
"As a result, prices of other commodities hardly reduced, making the workers of all sectors, including RMG, suffer heavily," they noted.
Excess workload and inflationary pressure made the RMG workers' life difficult and they also suffered from malnutrition.

Munni_fe@yahoo.com