Labor and employment adviser Brig Gen (retd) Sakhawat Hussain informed that a total of 9 percent annual wage increase has been recommended in the ready-made garment industry, which will be effective from December 1.
He shared the information with reporters on Monday while having a meeting at the Secretariat.
The adviser said: “The 5th meeting of the Capacity and Action Committee was held on the issue of revaluation of the minimum wage and increase in annual increment in the garment 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,” he added.
“On the other hand, the representatives of the employers expressed their opinion not to increase it more than 8 percent.”
“After detailed discussion, it was recommended to increase the annual increment by adding another 4 percent to the existing 5 percent salary increase to a total of 9 percent, he said, adding: “The annual increment determined by the Minimum Wage Board, [5 percent] will continue as it is.”
In addition, 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 adviser said.
He said that along with the salary increase, other benefits related to the Bangladesh Labor Act, 2006 (latest amendment) will also be relevant. In addition, this wage increase will continue until the government re-evaluates or the next minimum wage rate is announced by the Minimum Wage Board.
The adviser said that pressure is being created from outside on the garment industry. There is an ongoing conspiracy from inside and outside the country regarding the garment industry of Bangladesh. There is a conspiracy to take the country's garment industry out by incitement. There must be cooperation between the owners and workers in the interest of the country.
Bd-Pratidin English/ Afsar Munna
