Bangladesh RMG trade unions demand Tk 2,000 grade difference in wages

21 Nov '23

1 min read

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Sommilito Garments Sramik Federation, an alliance of Bangladesh garment sector unions, has demanded a Tk 2,000 difference between grades, a monthly minimum salary of Tk 23,000, 65 per cent as the basic salary, retaining grades one and two, and abolishing grades five and six.
It also wants Tk 1,000 as healthcare benefits and Tk 600 as transport allowance.

Readymade garment (RMG) trade unions in Bangladesh recently demanded a Tk 2,000 difference between grades, in addition to a monthly minimum salary of Tk 23,000, 65 per cent as the basic salary, retaining grades one and two, and abolishing grades five and six.

They also want Tk 1,000 as healthcare benefits and Tk 600 as transport allowance.

Sommilito Garments Sramik Federation, an alliance of apparel sector trade unions affiliated with IndustriAll, conveyed the demands to Minimum Wage Board chairman Liaquat Ali Mollah in a letter, domestic media outlets reported.

State minister for labour and employment Monnujan Sufian announced on 7 November that Tk 12,500 is the minimum wage for entry-level RMG workers.

However, trade unions and workers rejected the proposal, leading to protests and violence, in response to which, the Minimum Wage Board issued a gazette notification inviting comments and appeals within 14 days.

The top-grade wage was set at Tk 14,750 per month, a mere Tk 2,250 more than that of the lowest. Trade unions have submitted appeals.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

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