Dhaka: Bangladesh garment manufacturers have agreed to a USD 68 minimum monthly wage for the country’s four million garment workers after days of labour unrest forced the closure of hundreds of factories, officials said.
The agreement came after the manufacturers met the Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, yesterday night when she “ordered” them to implement the new wages recommended by the government’s Minimum Wage Board panel.
The panel voted to raise the minimum salaries to 5,300 taka (USD 68) from 3,000 taka this month following a series of disasters in garment factories that highlighted appalling labour conditions and poor wages in thousands of plants, many of which make clothing for the world’s top retailers.
But the owners dragged their feet, saying it would be impossible for most factories to ratify the panel’s decision, arguing that Bangladesh workers were less productive while the Western retailers were not keen to raise order prices in line with the pay hike.
The manufacturers had demanded the new minimum wages be fixed at 4,500 taka, but labour secretary Mikail Shipar said they changed their minds after meeting Prime Minister at her office. (PTI)
