Wage board tomorrow, says labour minister, urges RMG workers to return to work

The government will issue a gazette notification tomorrow (1 November) announcing the formation of a minimum wage board for readymade garment workers, Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury said today (31 October).

Following discussions with representatives of factory owners and workers, the minister urged workers to return to work.

Speaking at a press conference at Srom Bhaban today, after a meeting with representatives of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), he said the government had held discussions with labour leaders yesterday and factory owners today.

“The decision has been taken to announce the wage board tomorrow. Workers’ representatives have also submitted a list of their nominees to the board. The announcement will be published in the gazette tomorrow,” he said.

The minister said the formation of a wage board had been one of the workers’ key demands. As the government had decided to meet the demand, workers should now return to work, he added.

He said the government had also asked the BGMEA and BKMEA to ensure prompt payment of outstanding wages and other dues at factories where workers were yet to receive their payments.

The minister urged all concerned to remain alert to attempts by individuals to destabilise the situation for personal or political interests unrelated to workers’ welfare.

He added that factory owners had agreed to a three-year tenure for the wage board instead of five years and had nominated their representatives.