The trade union leaders have urged the government to form a wage structure raising the minimum wage to Tk 25,000 for tannery workers considering the high inflation.
They also called upon the authorities for establishing a modern and environment-friendly leather industry by ensuring labour rights to boost the country’s economy.
They made the remarks at a joint consultation meeting between Tannery Worker’s Union (TWU) and Bangladesh Labour Rights Journalists Forum (BLRJF) organized by Solidarity Center, Bangladesh at Bangladesh Press Council in Dhaka on Wednesday.
While speaking on the programme, TWU President Abul Kalam Azad said, “Although the industry is of over a 70-year period, the leather sector of Bangladesh did not improve due to lack of effective initiatives of the government.
“Almost all business sectors have developed vastly in the country. But, despite being the oldest industry, the leather sector was not developed due to unplanned initiatives and apathy of the industry owners,” he added.
The government shifted tanneries to Hemayetpur in Savar upazila from Hazaribagh, he said adding that It did not become a better facility yet. “Workers are not being appointed to maintain the labour laws of the country,” he said.
“Considering high inflation, we demand a minimum wage of Tk 25,000 for tannery workers. Now, the tannery workers are getting Tk 8,000-Tk13,000 per month. It is not possible to maintain a family with this money amid the high inflation. Even, non-members of trade unions get lower salaries,” he added.
Quality products won’t be produced if the workers don’t get good wages, he said.
TWU General Secretary Abdul Malek said, “Once, a raw cowhide was sold at Tk3,000-3,500 which is now sold for only Tk 200 - Tk 300. Why did the rawhide prices come down while the prices of other products go up in the country?
“We want the development of the leather industry as well as the assurance of ensuring labour rights in the country. Social compliance must be ensured to develop the sector as soon as possible,” he also said.
General Secretary of Bangladesh Trade Union Centre Dr Wajedul Islam Khan, BLRJF President Kazi Abdul Hannan, and its General Secretary Ataur Rahman also spoke on the occasion.
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