RMG wage board asks for list of missing posts

The wage board for the readymade garments industry Wednesday asked for a list of the missing posts from both labour leaders and apparel makers representatives to incorporate them in the new wage structure.

"After getting the lists of the workers' posts from both the groups, we will discuss the same in the next meeting and take necessary measures to incorporate them accordingly," Minimum Wage Board acting Chairman AK Fazlul Haque said after the meeting held in the city on the day. "Which posts would be incorporated in which grades would be decided after discussions," he added.

 The Wage Board members sat Wednesday again, one and half months after the gazette notification of the wage hike for the readymade garment workers.

The move to incorporate the missing posts came following allegations from the labour leaders that many posts especially of printing, embroidery, washing and other related industries of the garment sector were not included in the new wage structure while apparel makers also sought clarifications from the labour ministry regarding this.

"A large number of posts of garment workers, especially in printing, embroidery and washing units in the grades three to six were not included in the new wage structure though we repeatedly pressed for it in the previous Wage Board's meetings," Sirajul Islam Rony, representative of the RMG workers on the board, said.

According to him more than 50 posts need to be included in the grades three to six so that the workers can get their salaries and allowances according to the new wage structure.

Arshad Jamal Dipu, who is representing owners said, "There are many backward linkage industries in the garment sector and some workers were 'missed' from the grades while there are also some new posts in many factories." "Decisions should be taken in such a way so that the new posts are also included in the grades accordingly," he added.

Replying to a question regarding the implementation of the new wage structure in factories, he hoped that all factories would ensure the implementation of the enhanced wages by March.