Garment makers have called for realising government facilities in the form of direct or indirect incentives to implement the proposed pay hike.They proposed adjusting annual inflation through increment instead of pay hike review every five years.The manufacturers voiced concern over the pay rise, saying if the wages are increased much more than Tk 6,360, the industry might not survive.The observations were made at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) of the ready-made garment (RMG) makers on Sunday.Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters association (BKMEA) co-hosted it at the BGMEA headquarters in the capital.The EGM was convened two days before the fifth wage board meeting on September 12.The board asked both the owner and worker representatives to reach a consensus over the minimum monthly wage for garment workers.Members of the two trade bodies attended the EGM chaired by BGMEA president Md Siddiqur Rahman.Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) president Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, BGMEA vice-presidents Moinuddin Ahmed, Faruque Hassan, SM Mannan Kochi, Mohammed Nasir, former presidents Tipu Munshi, Atiqul Islam, BKMEA president AKM Salim Osman and vice-president Fazlee Shamim Ehsan also spoke.Terming intellectuals, academics, labour leaders and civil-society members who advocated for increasing workers wage ‘conspirators’, the speakers alleged that they want to destroy the RMG sector.”Some so-called civil-society patrons have no idea about the RMG sector but they always criticise it. No doubt, they’re against development,” FBCCI chief Mr Mohiuddin said.”The garment sector leaders should have sat in negotiations with the government. If it wants to increase garment workers’ wages, it would have to cut tax for the sector,” he added.Mr Mohiuddin, also the former president of the BGMEA, suggested the owners unite for strong negotiations with buyers to ensure fair prices of their products.He also called for an end to unhealthy practice of price cut among themselves in time of taking orders from buyers.Asif Ibrahim, vice-president of New Age Group, said the government must provide direct or indirect incentives to owners if wage is raised than the proposed amount.Mr Atiqul said production cost went up but the prices went down globally, so all parties should realise the practical situation in fixing minimum wages.Apparel exporters could pay much to the workers if they are not forced to pay an additional amount to customs-related points, he argued.Banks are yet to comply with the prime minister’s directive to lower interest rate to single digit, he alleged.Meanwhile, Mr Moinuddin suggested the BGMEA president prepare a list of people who criticise the factory owners over the wage issue and submit it to the PM.The BGMEA president said they would negotiate with the government to protect the interest of factory owners but all have to keep in mind about the wage fixation time ahead of national election.”We’ll try to achieve incentive from the government in return for a wage hike,” he added.
