Minimum wages

Why don't the garment manufacturers agree to the fact that it is they who undercut each other to get orders, thus destroying the industry by themselves. Giving out lame excuses of stiff overseas competition is an eye wash to avoid wage increases. Just two weeks back Hongkong had to revise minimum wages of workers when the workers revolted saying that they would no more accept excuses like bosses' plea of stiff overseas competition. About same time when the EU threatened that GSP of 9 percent to Sri Lanka will be withdrawn due to human rights violations there, the Sri Lankan President replied firmly that Sri Lanka is not interested in GSP, The country can face the market without GSP. It is the garment manufacturers in Bangladesh who are spineless and submit to buyers price offers and undercut each other as well. Minimum salary of RMG workers should be not less than Tk.4000.00 per month. On the other hand, BGMEA can request the govt. to bring down bank interest to a single digit rate on loans to exporters and give discount on other production related expenses.