Reuters file photo used for representational purposeThe government has finally set the minimum monthly wage for entry-level workers in the readymade garment (RMG) industry at Tk 8,000.The ministry of labour and employment published the gazette notification in this regard on Sunday.The new wage structure will come into effect on December 1, 2018, it said.The basic pay for the entry-level workers has been fixed at Tk 4100, up from the existing Tk 3000, while the house rent rose to Tk 2050 from Tk 1200.The medical allowance was also raised to Tk 600 from Tk 250 and the transport allowance to Tk 350 from Tk 200 while food subsidies to Tk 900 from Tk 650.The gross pay for six, five and four grades has been fixed at Tk 8,405, Tk 8,855 and Tk 9,245 respectively, including the basic pay of Tk 4,370, Tk 4,670 and Tk 4,930 respectively.Workers of the three, two and one grades will receive Tk 9,590, Tk 14,630 and Tk 17,510 in gross pay respectively, according to the board official.The basic pay for three, two and one grades has been fixed at Tk 5,160, Tk 8,520 and Tk 10,880 respectively.A 50 per cent house rent has been proposed for all grades with the same amount of other allowances as suggested for entry-level workers.The 5.0 per cent annual increment remained unchanged, although the right groups demanded 10 per cent. An apprentice (three months) will get monthly gross wage of Tk 5,975 while an apprentice working for six months will receive Tk 6164.
