Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) yesterday urged all concerned to remain alert as a vested quarter is trying to make the country’s apparel sector unstable by spreading rumours over the minimum wage of garments workers, reports BSS.“The government has fixed Tk 8,000 as minimum wage for the workers of readymade garments, which have been accepted by the owners and labourers, but a vested quarter is trying to make the sector unstable,” BGMEA President Siddiqur Rahman told a press conference at BGMEA yesterday.He alleged that Jatiyo Garment Shramik Federation was distributing leaflet with partly true, distorted and wrong information among the labourers and general people although allowances and wages of workers were increased.“RMG sector has witnessed 381.35 per cent wage hike during 2010 to 2018, but few labourer leaders are trying to make the sector volatile by spreading misleading information,” Siddiqur said.Nearly 12,000 RMG factories have been shut down during 2014 to 2018 for renovation, wage hike and others, he said, adding, “Our apprehension is that more factories would be forced to shut down in the future and that’s why implementation of new wage structure is big challenge for owners”.As per the new wage, RMG workers would get Tk 8,000 as minimum wage, including basic salary of Tk 4,100, house rent Tk 2,050, medical allowance Tk 600, conveyance Tk 350 and food allowance Tk 900.
