Dhaka, Sep 26 (UNI) Bangladesh’s garment factory owners have agreed to all 18 demands of workers, including a Tk 225 attendance bonus and the implementation of a minimum wage by October, media reports said on Thursday.
The decision was made after extensive discussions between Readymade Garment (RMG) owners and workers at a meeting held in the Ministry of Labour and Employment’s conference room, the United News of Bangladesh (UNB) quoted A.H.M. Safiquzzaman, Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, as saying.
According to the UNB reports, the meeting was attended by various experts, including the Ministry of Labour and Employment Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, Home Affairs Advisers Lt. Gen. Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Adilur Rahman Khan, and Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Miz Farida Akhtar.
It was decided that workers will receive an additional Tk225 as an attendance bonus, with a Tk10 increase in the existing night shift pay and Tk10 added to the current meal allowance, raising it to a minimum of Tk100, the reports said.
According to reports, the government mandates a minimum wage for factories by October, providing essential goods at affordable prices through the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh in labour-intensive areas, and expanding the food ministry’s food-friendly programme.
All due wages must be paid by October 10; otherwise, legal action will be taken against the responsible parties, and the technical team will review issues related to the biometric blacklisting of workers, with a report due by October.
A central monitoring system will be implemented to prevent local political influence and extortion in the waste trade, considering workers’ interests.
Besides, all harassment and political cases against workers, including those from the 2023 wage movement, will be reviewed and settled through the law ministry, with compensation for the families of four deceased workers, the reports said.
Moreover, labour leaders will submit a comprehensive list of compensation and medical care for victims of the July uprising to the ministry, ensuring no gender discrimination based on job type.
A committee has been established to address the needs of victims of the Rana Plaza and Tazreen Fashion disasters, with recommendations due in October 2024.
Besides, all factories must establish daycare centres in accordance with labour laws, and workers cannot be dismissed unjustly or in violation of these laws.
It was decided that women workers will now be entitled to 120 days of maternity leave, the report said.
A committee led by an additional secretary will review the minimum wage regulations within six months, and amendments to the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006 (amended 2018) will be completed by December 2024 after consultations with all stakeholders.
Workers will receive labour laws-based service benefits, and a committee will review the contributory provident fund to align with international best practices. The minimum wage will be adjusted by November 2024, considering current inflation rates.
