Platforms of Western retailers and buyers in Bangladesh – Accord on Fire and Building Safety and Alliance for Bangladesh Workers Safety, has requested Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, to form a wage board for the workers of the readymade garment sector.
The consortium also expressed their concern over the recent detentions and termination from employment of individuals with union affiliation and who promote workers’ rights in the RMG factories located at Ashulia, Bangladesh. “We have received credible reports that since late December 2016 at least 14 such persons have been detained or arrested; that 11 of these remain in police custody; that two-three of them have been subject to beatings and/or threats; and that approximately 1,500 workers have been terminated from their employment at several Ashulia located RMG factories,” said Accord.
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It may be mentioned here that apparel workers at Ashulia held protests in December last year, demanding an increase in their minimum wage to BDT 16,000 from BDT 5,300. Terming the workers’ demands illegal, the authorities of 85 factories announced closure of their units for an indefinite period. The factory owners, however, reopened the units with massive termination and filling cases against workers.
The platform also suggested that adopting a regular wage review mechanism would help foster needed stability in the garment sector and address root causes to undesirable and unacceptable situations in the country’s RMG industry. The Accord also sent the copy of the letter to Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA).
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
