New apparel wage comes into effect next month

The labour ministry yesterday published a gazette on the wage structure of garment workers which would come into effect from next month.

The breakdown for the seventh grade shows Tk 4,100 as the basic salary, Tk 2,050 house rent, Tk 600 medical allowance, Tk 350 transport allowance and Tk 900 food allowance.

In case of the first grade, Tk 10,440 is the basic salary, Tk 5,220 house rent, Tk 600 medical allowance, Tk 350 transport allowance and Tk 900 food allowance.

The gazette said the apprenticeship period has been fixed at three months.

Workers unable to improve skills by this time will draw salary as apprentices for another three months. On completion of the apprenticeship period, they will be employed in grades concerned as a permanent employee.

Earlier in September, the minimum wage board formed by the government for fixing the salary structure for the garment workers recommended that the minimum wage be Tk 8,000.

The minimum wage was fixed at Tk 5,300 the last time in 2013, up from Tk 3,000 in 2010. It was Tk 1,662.50 in 2006, Tk 940 in 1994 and Tk 627 in 1985.