Labor leaders in Bangladesh are protesting against a proposal by the apparel trade body to raise garment workers' wages by only 20 per cent.
The proposal was presented by Arshad Jamal Dipu, representing the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters' Association (BGMEA), during the fifth meeting of the Wage Board. The BGMEA's plan sets the minimum monthly wage at Tk 3,600 (approximately $43 USD), which includes a basic pay of Tk 2,400, a house rent of Tk 960, and a medical allowance of Tk 240. This figure falls far short of the workers' demand for a minimum wage of Tk 8,114 (approximately $96).
Sirajul Islam Rony, Representative, Garment Workers, called the BGMEA's proposal ‘illogical and inhumane.’
The laborers had expected, garment owners would offer higher wages taking into consideration the rising cost of living, added Rony
Echoing this sentiment, Fazlul Haque Montu, Executive President, Jatiya Sramik League, stated, the massive gap between the workers' demand and the owners' offer was unacceptable given the current cost of living.
Defending the owners' position, Dipu said the proposal was calculated based on the general inflation rate since November 2010, the rising production costs, raw material prices, and the industry's capacity. When questioned about the logic of a 20 per cent hike, he pointed out, while there are roughly 3,174 factories nationwide, about 1,000 to 1,500 are in the small category, suggesting a need for caution. He did, however, leave open the possibility for further negotiations on other allowances.
AK Roy, Chairman, Wage Board, confirmed, a few decisions were made based on the two proposals. These include having Wage Board members visit five garment factories (three in Dhaka and two in Chittagong) to meet with both workers and owners. Additionally, the members plan to visit Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia by the end of the current week to study their wage fixation processes and worker benefits.
The members agreed to hold their next meeting on October 21, following their local and foreign trips and the upcoming religious festivals of Eid and Durga Puja.
