In order to have the power to supervise the application of the wages established for workers in the industrial sector, the Minimum Wage Board of Bangladesh is pushing for major changes to the nation’s labour laws. On November 6, Mamunur Rashid, the chairman of the board, presented this suggestion to the Labour Ministry.
Rashid underlined that in order to strengthen the wage board’s responsibility in guaranteeing efficient wage implementation, changes must be made to both the Labour Act and the Labour Rules. The addition of a new clause, 149(3), which would enable the wage board to perform on-site inspections of privately owned companies and industrial facilities across the country, is one of the main recommendations.
In order to conduct mobile courts and enforce penalties for non-compliance with wage standards, the board has also proposed a new clause, 149(4). As stated in various provisions of the Labour Act, the chairman would have the power to decide cases involving violations pertaining to salaries, benefits, and gratuities under this proposed clause.
In the event that wage-related offences are reported during court proceedings, the plans also provide for prompt response. Depending on the facts and evidence, employers may be subject to immediate fines if proven guilty.
Rashid suggested that a senior district and sessions judge or a retired judge from the Bangladesh Judicial Service serve as the chairman of the board. In order to promote equitable decision-making, the proposal also mandates that board members reflect real owners and employees from related businesses.
The board also laid out measures for the chairman and the Department of Labour to oversee member nominations. It was suggested that replacements be reappointed within two months of resignation or departure.
Furthermore, the wage board has proposed changes to guarantee that a worker’s basic pay increases by at least 5% year and that it represents at least 50% of their gross compensation. Another idea is for the government to designate an honorarium for the chairman, members, and aides of the wage board in exchange for their participation at meetings.
The goal of these extensive reforms is to guarantee equitable wage practices throughout Bangladesh’s industrial sector and strengthen the minimum wage board’s authority.
