Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Friday said that the demand of readymade garments (RMG) workers for salary hike is logical in light of the rising commodity prices amidst the current global economic situation, reports BSS.
"Due to the Russia-Ukraine war, the prices of daily essentials have increased in the world market and also in Bangladesh. The workers are suffering. The workers' demand for wage hike is justified. For this, it is necessary to form a wage commission and conduct a study on the overall aspects of workers' living costs, product prices and production costs," he said.
According to a press release, the minister made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the 16th bi-annual conference of the National Garment Workers Federation-2022 at the media complex auditorium of the National Press Club in the city.
"The interests of both workers and owners need to be ensured. For this, it is necessary to ensure the fair wages of the workers as well as the appropriate prices of the products," he said.
However, Tipu said, salary negotiation should be done after assessing the income of owners and the current salary structure.
"Time has come to increase the salary of garment workers through wage board negotiations," he added.
The commerce minister said that the labor organisations and leaders should be educated and responsible.
Bd-pratidin English/Ishrar Tabassum
