Trade unions in Bangladesh’s apparel sector are calling for a Taka 2,000 grade difference and a monthly minimum wage of Taka 23,000. They are advocating for 65 per cent of the basic salary, the retention of grades one and two, and the removal of grades five and six.
The Sommilito Garments Sramik Federation, a coalition of apparel sector trade unions affiliated with IndustriAll, communicated these demands in a letter to Minimum Wages Board Chairman Liaquat Ali Mollah recently.
Earlier, State Minister for Labour and Employment Monnujan Sufian announced Taka 12,500 as the minimum salary for entry-level RMG workers, citing verbal approval from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
However, this proposal was rejected by trade unions and workers, leading to ongoing protests since 23rd October that escalated into violence.
During the protests, at least four workers lost their lives, hundreds were injured, and a hundred were arrested and jailed in connection with the violence.
