BGMEA sees reports on minimum wage as conspiracy
The apparel workers demonstrating for salary hike near Jirabo Bus Stand in Savar Tuesday morning. Photo: Palash Khan
The garment sector’s apex trade body on Tuesday described local and international media reports on minimum wages and working hours as a “conspiracy” against the highest export earners.
“A conspiracy has been started from local and international levels to destabilise the industry at a time when negotiation is going on to fix the minimum wage for garments workers,” said SM Mannan, acting president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
“In continuation with this, motivated, false and misleading reports are being published in local and international media,” he said referring to an investigative report of BBC on working hours of a garment factory and a news item of a local media [Prothom Alo] on minimum wages.
The BGMEA in association with Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) organised the press conference following the recent unrest by the garment workers demanding an increase in their minimum wage to Tk 8,114 from existing Tk 3,000.
Mannan also said if the unrest continues, many owners may not be able to pay salary and bonuses during the month of Eid-ul-Azha, as the production is hit by the unrest.
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