Though the tenure of the minimum wage board formed by the government for the RMG sector will expire on October 9, it has yet to put forward any proposal for new wage structure for nearly four million readymade garment workers.
Rather now they have sought an extension of the tenure of the board for another three months to make an announcement about new wage structure.
Not only that but also the board held just three meetings in the last six months and every meeting agenda was to submit the proposal for minimum wage structure. But both owners’ and workers’ representatives of the board failed to place any proposal and sought time extension.
After the third meeting of the board on October 1 in the minimum wage board office in Dhaka, which ended without any monthly wage proposal, Chairman of Minimum Wage Board Liaquat Ali Mollah told journalists that both the owners’ and workers’ representatives will propose the minimum monthly wage in the next meeting to be held in the third week of this month.
“I am hopeful that by mid-November, the minimum wage for the garment workers will be finalised in consultation with the representatives of the board.”
Amid the situation, workers and trade unions of the sector raised question about the work progress of the minimum wage board for the RMG workers, and threatened to take to the streets and stage massive demonstrations if they are deprived of their legal and human rights.
Mentioning that the board is playing ‘pillow passing’ game, trade union leaders also claimed that the owners’ representative is putting pressure on the workers’ representative, creating barriers in the bargaining table which may impact the formation of wage structure.
That is why they are continuing demonstrations to ensure their rights, they said, adding that they will stay on the street unless new wage structure is announced.
Workers’ representative Sirajul Islam Rony, also president of Bangladesh National Garments Workers Employees League, said he has already placed workers’ demand to the board. “No pressure can stop me from ensuring workers’ rights.”
“I did not place any specific proposal to the board as the respective sector owners’ representative is yet to put forward their proposal. I already submit a written copy to the board members where I mentioned what are actually workers’ demands,” Rony told The Business Post.
When asked, did he get nervous in the board meeting or did anyone create pressure, Rony did not reply directly, but he said, “I do not care anyone as long as my workers are with me. No one could stop me from placing workers’ demands.”
“In my speech, I already placed some additional demands to the board such as 10 per cent annual increment, auto promotion after every two years, increase in maternity leave from four months to six months, ensuring service benefits, and ban on sixth and seventh grade etc.”
Meeting sources said that while Rony addressing the workers’ demands, and explained why they are seeking a significant wage hike, RMG sector owners’ representative created barrier several times.
Amid the situation, Rony threatened that if the board does not hear his statement, he will go to the workers. After that Rony read his written statement.
Even during the joint press briefing, owners’ non-permanent representative Siddiqur Rahman, also former president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), stopped Rony, when he was explaining to the media why the workers are demanding a big jump in wage.
“Rony will not answer to question anymore. There is no need to explain about workers’ calorie,” Siddiqur said at the press briefing where all board members, including the chairman, were present.
On April 9 this year, the Ministry of Labour and Employment formed a four-member permanent new wage board, headed by Senior District Judge Liaquat Ali Molla, to review RMG workers’ wages.
The other members of the board are: Employers’ representative Moksud Belal Siddiqui, workers’ representative Sultan Ahmed, and independent member Professor Md Kamal Uddin. Former BGMEA President Siddiqur Rahman and worker leader Sirajul Islam Rony are non-permanent members of the board and representing the owners and workers respectively.
Workers’ demonstration in front of wage board office
During the meeting, different workers’ organisations were demonstrating and chanting slogan in front of the minimum wage board office demanding monthly minimum wage of Tk 23,000 per month.
An alliance formed with representation of different trade unions in the garment handed over a proposal to the board chairman demanding monthly minimum wage of Tk 23,000 with several benefits. Another alliance also submitted a proposal to the board chairman demanding monthly minimum wage of Tk 23,000.
Bangladesh Garment Sramik Samhati President Taslima Akhter said in the demonstration, “In the last five years, minimum life expense increased by double, and RMG’s owners’ income also increased a lot of. But our wages did not increase.
“A four-member family needs at least Tk 40,000 per month for lead their life lead. But considering everything, we are proposing Tk 25,000. If the board does not consider our demand, we will take to the streets and ensure our rights.”
Other trade unions’ leaders are also seeking Tk 25,000 as minimum wage and said pangas fish and egg also become luxurious food for a RMG worker. Unusual hike in commodity prices makes their life difficult, they added.
