RMG Workers to Receive Revised Wages Starting with January Salaries

Readymade garment (RMG) workers are expected to receive their revised minimum wages along with their January salaries following an understanding reached between representatives of factory owners and workers at the first meeting of the newly constituted Minimum Wage Board on Wednesday.

At the meeting, both sides agreed that the revised wage structure would take effect from December 1, with workers receiving the increased salaries within the first seven working days of January.

The understanding was reached at the inaugural meeting of the eighth Minimum Wage Board for the RMG sector, held at its office in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, under the chairmanship of District and Sessions Judge Syed Azad Subhani.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, board chairman Syed Azad Subhani expressed optimism that significant progress could be made towards finalising wage recommendations within a month. He noted that the government constituted the board on November 1 and arranged its first meeting just three days later.

The meeting focused on the legal framework and procedures for determining minimum wages, with representatives of both workers and employers sharing their perspectives and experiences.

"We hope to make significant progress towards preparing the wage recommendations at our next meeting. We may also seek written proposals and recommendations from both sides," the chairman said.

Asked how many meetings would be needed compared with the seven sessions held during the previous wage-setting process, Subhani said such exercises generally operate within a six-month timeframe. However, he hoped the current process would be completed sooner, given the government's swift formation of the board and its early commencement of work.

Addressing workers who have been protesting for higher wages, he urged them to place their trust in the board and its procedures, assuring them that the process was designed to protect their interests. He also appealed to workers to continue their duties, highlighting their importance to the national economy.

When asked whether the revised wages would be announced by December, the chairman avoided setting a specific deadline but expressed hope for a positive outcome in the near future.

Worker representative Babul Akhtar confirmed that both parties had reached an understanding to make the revised wages effective from December 1, with the increased amount to be paid alongside January salaries.

He said worker representatives wanted the wage determination process to be completed within December to ensure that employees could receive the revised salaries from January.

An employers' representative also supported completing the process within December so that workers could receive their increased wages with their January pay.

Akhtar said discussions on workers' demands took place in a cordial atmosphere and thanked the board chairman for arranging the first meeting within such a short period.

He appealed to workers to remain calm and avoid being influenced by third parties or political interests, stressing that the interests of workers and employers were closely connected to the sustainability of the garment industry.

He also urged the government to address other longstanding labour-related concerns, including proper implementation of labour laws, trade union rights, leave facilities and alleged harassment of workers and labour leaders.

Regarding wage proposals, Akhtar said different labour organisations had submitted varying demands. Worker federations would now hold discussions among themselves to formulate a unified proposal for submission to the board.

He further called on the board's independent member to prepare a separate wage proposal for consideration.

Chairman Subhani said the next meeting could take place next week, giving representatives of both sides sufficient time to consult their respective organisations and experts before submitting their recommendations.

He cautioned that rushing the process could undermine the desired outcome.

The Minimum Wage Board will examine proposals from workers and employers before preparing its recommendations and submitting them to the government for further action.