The first meeting to look into the wage discrepancies in the readymade garment (RMG) sector failed to reach a resolution on Thursday.The discrepancy has led to severe unrest in the industrial zones over the past few days.The committee, consisting of representatives from government, RMG owners and workers, and chaired by Secretary Afroza Khan from the Labour and Employment Ministry met in the secretariat.Top RMG sector leaders including BGMEA President Siddiqur Rahman, FBCCI President Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, former BGMEA president and sitting MP Abdus Salam Murshedy were in attendance among others.The meeting started at 4:30pm in the afternoon.Before the meeting, the RMG owners met with State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum MonnuzanSufian for an hour at the ministry.The meeting ended around 6:30pm.The government formed committee to address the RMG pay grade discrepancy met on Thursday for the first time but could not provide a solution just yet | Dhaka TribuneAfter the meeting ended, Secretary Afroza Khan announced that no resolution had been reached, so the committee will meet in a smaller capacity on Sunday to further scrutinize the issue to develop a solution.She said that the allegations of wage discrepancy were only pressed against grades 3, 4, and 5, thereby the other pay grades would not be subject to scrutiny.The secretary expressed her optimism that the problem will be solved in less than a month.Also Read- 30 injured in RMG workers-police clash in Ashulia
RMG workers hotline
Secretary Afroza also announced a 24-hour government hotline dedicated to addressing RMG worker grievances. She said steps have been to taken to announce the number [16357] to workers who are unaware of the development by carrying out public service announcements in areas where RMG workers live in large numbers.She additionally requested the workers to go back to working.When asked if there were any suspicions of outsider forces influencing the protest, Secretary Afroza said the matter cannot be discounted.Earlier in the morning, RMG workers withdrew their protests in the Mirpur area. However, there were clashes between the workers and the police later in the morning, which led to at least 30 injuries.
