The second meeting of the wage board for 4.0-million garment workers ended on Thursday without discussing any pay hike issue as no representative from workers and owners came up with any proposal.
It rather discussed local and global issues, including the sector's present situation, prices of basic commodities and that of apparel in the international market, sources said.
"Three decisions have been made. We'll sit next month when both workers' and owners' representatives will propose their respective pay scales," said Liaquet Ali Molla, chairman of the wage board.
The meeting was held at his office in Dhaka city.
During the time, the board consisted of six members will visit small, medium and large garment factories to have an overview of the sector, added Mr Molla.
He expects a fruitful discussion in the next meeting over the pay structure the representatives from both groups will present and the wage board will make its recommendations by November.
Responding to a query, Sirajul Islam Rony, workers' representative on the board, said trade unions were yet to reach a consensus over a pay structure.
"We talked with many and need to talk some other unions and workers in this regard," he added.
Workers' views are also important, he said, adding opinions of workers and other trade unions would be taken into consideration before placing a formal proposal of monthly wage.
Basic pay, house rent, service benefits, allowances, pension benefit and food intake will also be considered in preparing the monthly wage structure for workers.
In his proposal, Mr Rony would also incorporate equal maternity benefits as given to workers of government entities.
Md Siddiqur Rahman, owners' representative, said the board was taking time to observe the overall situation as the sector has been facing the severe fallouts of the Covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war.
If the business situation improves amid high inflation in the major markets, a good hike would be possible, he said, terming the workers the 'backbone of the sector'.
Permanent board members Bangladesh Employers' Federation representative Moksud Belal Siddiqui, Jatiya Sramik League leader Sultan Ahmed and independent member Prof Md Kamal Uddin of Dhaka University also attended the meeting.
Earlier on April 09, the government formed the wage board for the garment sector to review the minimum monthly wage.
The current minimum monthly wage for an entry-level garment worker is Tk 8,000 fixed in 2018, up from Tk 5,300 set in 2013.
Meanwhile, some labour organisations demonstrated in front of the wage board and formed a human chain outside the press club on Thursday, demanding Tk 23,000-25,000 as minimum monthly wage.
Bangladesh Garment Workers Unity Council, led by its chairman Touhidur Rahman, handed a memorandum to Mr Molla, demanding Tk 23,000 as minimum wage with a 65-per cent basic pay.
The council also proposed the authorities concerned to abolish fifth and sixth grades of the pay structure.
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