RMG workers reject Tk 8,000 as minimum wage

Turning down the Tk 8,000 as minimum wage fixed by the government, readymade garment (RMG) workers on Friday staged demonstrations in the city and demanded Tk 16,000 as minimum wage.

Several hundred garment workers under the banner of ‘Garments Workers’ Trade union Centre’, a platform of RMG workers, staged a sit-in in front of the Jatiya Press Club around 11:30 am.

Abul Hasan, officer-in-charge of Shahbagh Police Station, said the RMG workers also brought out a precession protesting the government decision.

While speaking, Joly Talukder, general secretary of the union, said, “The fixation of minimum wage for RMG workers at Tk 8,000 is illogical and unjust one.”

She urged the government to reconsider the decision, or else, she threatened that they will go for a tougher movement and announced to stage demonstrations in industrial areas of the city.

Vehicular movement at Topkhana road and its adjacent areas remained suspended for nearly an hour following their demonstrations.

Later, police appeared at the spot and dispersed the workers.

On Thursday, the government fixed the minimum wage for the RMG workers at Tk 8000.

The decision will come into effect in December next after the publication of a gazette notification.

RMG workers have long been staging demanding fixation of their minimum wage in the country’s garment workers at Tk 16000.

Source: unb