Labor and Employment Advisor Dr. M. Sakhawat Hossain said a total of 9 percent annual wage increase has been recommended for the garment sector, which will be effective from December 1.
He shared this information while talking to reporters at the Secretariat on Monday.
The Labor and Employment Advisor said, "The 5th meeting of the Capacity and Action Committee was held on the issue of revaluating the minimum wage and increase in annual increment in the garments sector. In the meeting, representatives of workers and employers discussed the issue of increasing the annual increment. The representatives of the workers expressed their opinion on increasing the increment by 10 percent in the discussion. On the other hand, the representatives of the employers expressed their opinion not to increase it more than 8 percent. After detailed discussions, it was recommended to increase the annual increment by 9 percent by adding another 4 percent to the existing 5 percent salary increment. The annual increment determined by the Minimum Wage Board, i.e. 5 percent, will continue as it is.”
The annual increment of 4 percent recommended by the committee will be effective from December 1, 2024, which will be paid with the salary paid in January, the advisor said.
He said along with the salary increase, other benefits relevant to the Bangladesh Labor Act, 2006 (latest amended) will also be inacted. In addition, this wage increase will continue until the government re-evaluates it or the next minimum wage rate is announced by the Minimum Wage Board.
The advisor said, “Pressure is being created from outside regarding the garment industry. There is an ongoing conspiracy within and outside the country over the garment industry of Bangladesh. There is a conspiracy to shift the country's garment industry outside by creating incitement. There must be cooperation between the owners and workers for the sake of the country.”
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
