RMG wage finalisation deferred again

This May 17 photo shows employees working at a garment factory in Ashulia, on the outskirts of the capital.

A government-formed wage board failed for the third time today to decide a minimum salary for garment workers and set November 4 as the fresh date for finalizing the much-debated wage structure.

As the board met in the morning to fix the new wage structure in the wake of weeks of street protests by the industry workers, the garment owners proposed a minimum wage of Tk 4,250 per month.

This, according to the owners, will include food subsidy.

Workers' representatives however demand separation of the food subsidy from the employees' monthly salary.

"We discuss the matter but could not reach a consensus. That's why we are taking time till November 4," AK Roy, chairman of the board form to finalise the minimum wage for RMG workers.

The main problem has centered over the food allocation, Roy said.

The workers’ representative has been bargaining for a minimum salary of Tk 8,114 per month.

Kamal Uddin, an independent member of the board, today said he has proposed Tk 5,000 per month as the board members could not reach a consensus.

"Whenever the salary will be finalised, it is decided that the new wage structure will come into effective from November 1, Arshad Jamal Dipu, owners’ representative, said.