Workers seen returning to factories after wage board formation
Workers at different industrial units in Savar-Ashulia industrial belt have started returning to work following the overnight constitution of the Minimum Wage Board, witnesses and officials said on Monday (2 November).
They said the government's decision to form a wage board, instilled into workers in the key-industrial zone renewed hope of resolving their demands for higher wages and other benefits.
Workers were seen entering several factories peacefully in the industrial belt and reportedly resuming their duties.
The development came a day after the government formed a six-member minimum wage board for the readymade garment (RMG) sector following discussions with labour leaders and representatives of garment manufacturers.
Labour leaders, meanwhile, also urged workers to return to their respective factories and pursue their legitimate wage demands through the newly formed board.
Workers' representative in the wage board Babul Akhter told a press conference at Sram Bhaban in Bijoynagar called upon garment workers to resume work, assuring them that their representatives would continue fighting for a fair wage structure.
"Please return to your factories and join work. We will fight for your fair wages. If necessary, we will call upon you to join the movement," he said.
Akhter expressed hope that the board would work to ensure workers receive increased wages from January next year, saying there was no reason for unnecessary delay in implementing the revised wage structure.
He said the workers' representatives would consult different labour federations, factory-based trade unions and ordinary workers before developing a collective position on proposed wages.
Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal president Anwar Hossain said the ongoing movement was not benefiting workers but rather weakening their legitimate demands.
Executive director of workers’ rights NGO Awaj Foundation Nazma Akhter said factory owners were losing work orders because of the prevailing situation.
She urged the government to investigate whether any vested quarters had infiltrated into the workers' movement.
Earlier, leaders of different labour organizations welcomed the government's initiative to form the wage board, describing it as a positive step towards protecting workers' interests.
Talking to BSS on Sunday, Sammilito Garments Sramik Federation President Nazma Akter said the formation of the board was “timely” and she appreciated the government's initiative.
She also urged the authorities to identify and punish those involved in attacks, vandalism and sabotage at industrial establishments.
Bangladesh Garment Sramik Sanghati President Taslima Akhter said the provision for reviewing wages every three years instead of five was important for protecting workers' purchasing power.
She stressed peaceful dialogue to prevent unrest and protect factories.
Bangladesh Garments, Textile and Leather Workers Federation president Kutubuddin Ahmed said his organization had proposed a minimum monthly wage of US$260 and expressed hope for reaching a consensus through discussions among workers, factory owners and the government.
Industrial Bangladesh Council general secretary Salauddin Swapan also welcomed the initiative and called for frequent meetings to finalize the new wages without unnecessary delay and stressed expanding trade union activities in factories.
The six-member wage board was announced by Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury at a press conference at the Secretariat on Sunday.
The board is headed by Senior District and Sessions Judge Sheikh Ashfaqur Rahman.
It comprised BGMEA director ABM Shamsuddin, workers representatives Babul Akhter and Asif Ayub, and independent members Mosleh Uddin Ahmed and Anwar Hossain.
The board will recommend minimum wages for workers at different grades in the garment sector.
The government will determine the new wage structure based on its recommendations and publish it through an official gazette notification.
The last minimum wage for garment workers was fixed at Tk 12,500 in December 2023.
Labour leaders said the wage board had created an institutional opportunity to address workers' demands and urged all concerned to pursue peaceful programmes and dialogue instead of confrontation, vandalism and arson.
They also emphasized that protecting industrial establishments was essential for safeguarding workers' livelihoods and the national economy.
Source: BSS