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Two workers die as several factories face arson attacks or vandalism during days of protests
Published : 01 Nov 2023, 11:36 PM
After deadly violence in several days of protests for a pay rise, workers and owners in the apparel sector of Bangladesh have shown interest in reaching a solution.
The workers’ representatives demanded Tk 20,393 in a meeting of the Minimum Wage Board on Wednesday, said Sirajul Islam, president of National Garments Workers and Employees League
This was down from Tk 23,000-25,000 previously demanded by the workers’ groups.
The owners had previously proposed a minimum wage of Tk 10,400, according to Siddiqur Rahman, a former president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.
They are willing to increase the figure, but took time until the next meeting to give an exact figure, he said.
Both Sirajul and Siddiqur said they are prepared for more bargaining.
They urged the workers to get back to work and eschew violence, expressing hope for a deal soon.
The board said the owners had also agreed to the workers’ demand for five grades in place of seven in the pay scale.
Two workers have died and several factories faced arson attacks or vandalism during the protests this week.
The situation appeared calm in the industrial hub of Ashulia on the outskirts of Dhaka, but protesters gathered outside factories in Gazipur and set up tents.
Workers in the capital’s Mirpur marched on the streets for their pay-related demands, and “attacks” on protesters allegedly by police, and members of the ruling Awami League’s youth front.
The RMG workers' minimum wage was increased for the last time, to Tk 8,000 from Tk 5,300, around five years ago.
State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Mannujan Sufian told parliament on Wednesday that the process to review the minimum wage of the apparel sector workers was ongoing.
