The State Minister for Labour and Employment, Begum Monnujan Sufian, recently announced that the new wage structure for readymade garment workers will be finalised by 30th November, taking effect from 1st December of this year.
As per reports, she made this declaration during an emergency meeting with trade union and federation leaders in the capital Dhaka.
During the meeting, she raised the question of the underlying causes of the ongoing strike and emphasised the importance of a peaceful work environment for the well-being of employees.
She stated, “Ensuring workplace harmony is crucial for the welfare of workers, as any damage to a factory ultimately affects the workers.”
Md Ehsan-e-Elah, the Secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, mentioned that the readymade garment (RMG) wage board is yet to reach a decision, despite receiving proposals from both workers and factory owners’ representatives.
He emphasised the opportunity to further discuss and deliberate before arriving at a final decision.
In recent days, some factories have experienced closures and acts of vandalism. Ehsan-e-Elah highlighted the significance of the export-oriented garment industry and urged everyone to refrain from actions that could negatively impact this vital sector.
During the meeting, Shajahan Khan, a Presidium member of the ruling Awami League, expressed concerns about external influences that appeared to be inciting workers and prompting unnecessary demonstrations.
