Play store
Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury has said the government will form a new wage board for garment workers on Sunday to determine their revised wages, urging workers to return to work and end their ongoing agitation.
The minister made the announcement at a press briefing at Shram Bhaban in Bijoynagar on Saturday following meetings with representatives of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA).
He said the decision to form the wage board was taken after nearly five hours of continuous discussions with workers’ leaders on Friday.
According to the minister, leaders of both the BGMEA and BKMEA have accepted the workers’ demand for the formation of a wage board, removing the main point of contention behind the ongoing unrest.
“Since initiatives have already been taken to form the wage board and address the issue of outstanding wages, there is no reason for workers to continue their agitation,” Ariful said.
The minister said the meetings also focused on the payment of workers’ outstanding wages. Representatives of the BGMEA and BKMEA have assured the government that they will discuss the matter with factory owners and take steps to clear the arrears as quickly as possible.
He said the government was also working to ensure that garment workers receive their monthly wages by the seventh day of every month.
Ariful urged workers not to resort to vandalism or keep factories shut, warning that prolonged disruptions could cause serious damage to the country’s garment industry, which is the backbone of Bangladesh’s export earnings.
“If factories remain closed, production will be disrupted and goods may not be delivered to buyers on time. If owners fail to receive payments from buyers, it could eventually create further difficulties in paying workers’ wages,” he said.
The minister alleged that while genuine workers were employed at different factories, some outsiders were entering factory areas and attempting to incite workers to continue their protests.
He called on the media to use video footage to help distinguish between genuine workers and those taking part in the agitation from outside.
Calling on workers to resume their duties, Ariful said the government had taken concrete steps to address their key demands and expected all parties to exercise restraint.
He stressed that owners, workers and other stakeholders must act responsibly to maintain stability in the garment sector, protect jobs and ensure the uninterrupted production and delivery of export orders.
The minister said cooperation among workers, factory owners and the government was essential to resolving labour disputes and safeguarding the long-term interests of both workers and the country’s vital ready-made garment industry.