Garment Workers Coordination Parishad, a platform of 52 organisations for RMG workers, demanded fixing of the minimum wage of the country’s garment workers at Tk 16000.They came up with the demand at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) in the city on Saturday saying that Bangladesh apparel workers are getting the lowest wage in Asia. They said RMG workers in Bangladesh are getting only US$ 67 (Tk 5,300) while those in India US$ 168, in Cambodia US$ 170, in Pakistan US$ 124, in Vietnam US$ 154 and in Myanmar US$86.Speakers said a survey was conducted in Dhaka, Chittagong, Gazipur, Ashulia and Narayanganj at the end of 2016 and it was found that a four-member family of a garment worker needs at least Tk 19,217 per month to survive.ZM Kamrul Anam, Joint Convener of the organisation, said as the prices of daily essentials as well as the house rent continue to go up it has become difficult for a garment worker survive with such low wage.Anam said they want at least Tk.16,000 as minimum wage with Tk. 10,000 basic salary and fulfilment of the demand by August.The leaders also demanded 10 percent annual increment, three months apprenticeship period with basic salary and six months maternity leave.Lima Ferdaus, joint- convener, Abul Hossan, another joint- convener were also present at the programme.
