Fix minimum monthly wage at Tk 4,500

The leaders of Dhaka tailors' union yesterday urged the garment industry owners to fix the workers' minimum monthly wage at Tk 4,500.

They said the prices of essentials are increasing day by day, but since 1985 the wages of the tailors did not increase comparatively.

As the flooding of imported readymade garments hampers the local industries, the government should also stop such imports, they urged.

The leaders were speaking at a meeting, which was also attended by some labour federation leaders, at Muktangan in Dhaka.

The tailors are contributing to the country's leading export-oriented garments sector, but they do not get their wages properly, said Md Ali Hossain, president of the workers union.

Faruq Hawladar, secretary of the organisation, said the prices of essentials have already gone beyond the workers' affordability. He urged the tailors to come under one umbrella to get their demands met.

Among others, Golam Sattar, president of Bangladesh Labour Federation, and representatives of different garment trade unions also spoke at the rally.