Set Tk 25,000 as minimum wage for RMG workers
The government must fix a minimum wage of Tk 25,000 for garment workers considering the increased cost of living, said noted economists and rights leaders at a discussion yesterday.
The discussion was organised by Bangladesh Garment Sramik Sanghati at Jatiya Press Club.
The speakers also called for an end to abrupt termination of workers, filing of fake cases, and suppression of rights. They also urged the government to scrap the Essential Services Bill 2023.
Speaking at the programme, garment worker Shahida Akter expressed concern over inadequate wages, which leads to financial instability among the workers' families.
"The minimum wage should be immediately increased to Tk 25,000 per month. Otherwise, the workers will be unable to sustain themselves," she said.
Noting the inflation, Taslima Akhtar, organisation president, said, "Even though prices of essentials as well as RMG products are increasing, the workers' wages are not."
She blamed low wages for the decreasing number of female employees in the sector.
"We cannot call these working women self-dependent as it is nearly impossible to survive with this salary," she added.
Khondaker Golam Moazzem, research director of Centre for Policy Dialogue, stressed the need for revising the wage structure of RMG workers.
Sabina Yasmin of Naripokkho said those who protests in this regard are often silenced.
Author and anthropologist Rahnuma Ahmed said, "We have been making these demands for a long time, but to no avail. A stronger fight is required to press home the issue."
Barrister Sara Hossain said, "Incidents of workers being sued under false cases has to be stopped."
Masuda Rehana of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad said, "Alongside ensuring proper wages, we also need to ensure that women have the right to take decisions to achieve equal rights in the sector."
Economist Prof Anu Muhammad said women have to combat various challenges while commuting to work from home. "We have to ensure that existing policies on preventing sexual harassment are implemented properly. Besides, facilities like daycare centres should be made available for female workers," he said.
Terming the current wage structure "exploitative", he said, "When democracy is absent, workers become the biggest victims. So, workers must raise their demands through a democratic movement."
At the event, speakers also demanded facilities such as medical allowances and life insurance for workers.
Shabnam Hafiz of Garments Shramik Mukti Andolon and Rebeka Neela of Biplobi Nari Sanghati also spoke at the programme.
Comments