Essentials for garment workers
Wednesday, 13 August 2008
THE Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) has decided to increase the wages of the workers of knitwear factories. At a recent meeting the association reviewed the growth of the sector and took the decision to increase the wages by at least 15 per cent from the next month considering the rising of cost of living.
After implementation, it will certainly help the workers to reduce their financial pressure. It will also help increase the working capacity as the BKMEA representatives expect.
But there is a doubt how far a 15 per cent wage-hike would help the workers when the prices increased manifold.
So this highest export earning sector must do more to help their workers to cope with the exorbitant prices of essential commodities. For example, they can, with the support of the government, arrange to allot rice, pulse etc., at special rates. When the employers are enable to provide housing facilities to their workers, they should, at least, help the workers bear the extra cost of living . It is necessary because the workers often have to work day and night and cannot stand in queues to get the government facility of open market sale for the urban poor. At the same time, they do not then require to spend additional money. But it must be ensured that the allotted rice goes to the workers, and not elsewhere.
Farid Ahmed
Sat Masjid Road
Dhaka
After implementation, it will certainly help the workers to reduce their financial pressure. It will also help increase the working capacity as the BKMEA representatives expect.
But there is a doubt how far a 15 per cent wage-hike would help the workers when the prices increased manifold.
So this highest export earning sector must do more to help their workers to cope with the exorbitant prices of essential commodities. For example, they can, with the support of the government, arrange to allot rice, pulse etc., at special rates. When the employers are enable to provide housing facilities to their workers, they should, at least, help the workers bear the extra cost of living . It is necessary because the workers often have to work day and night and cannot stand in queues to get the government facility of open market sale for the urban poor. At the same time, they do not then require to spend additional money. But it must be ensured that the allotted rice goes to the workers, and not elsewhere.
Farid Ahmed
Sat Masjid Road
Dhaka