A tripartite committee of representatives from government, garment operators and workers has been formed to look into the inconsistencies in the new wage structure for the apparel sector.The panel has been assigned to address the grievances regarding the pay structure within one month.The decision was made at an emergency meeting of the core committee on crisis management at labour department in the capital on Tuesday.This was against the backdrop of the ongoing agitation in different apparel hubs for salary enhancements.However, the meeting asked the law-enforcement agencies to take stern action against toughs and vandals.State minister for labourMonnujanSufian presided over the meeting where commerce minister TipuMunshi was present.Labour secretary Afroza Khan, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry president Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, Bangladesh Employers Federation president Kamran T Rahman, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Md Siddiqur Rahman and its former presidents Md Atiqul Islam, Abdus Salam Murshedy and Anwar ul Alam Chowdhury, Bangladesh Textile Garments Sramik Federation president Mahbubur Rahman Ismail and Jatiya Garments Sramik Federation Amirul Haque Amin, among others, were also present.”Labour leaders spoke of inconsistencies in the new wage structure for garment workers, but factory owners made reverse opinions,” MrMunshi said at a press conference after the meeting.A committee has been formed including five members each from owners and workers to identify whether there is any inconsistency in the wage structure, he added.They will resolve the issues within a month, the minister mentioned.”Those engaged in vandalism are not friends of RMG trade and the lawmen have been instructed to take a tough line on the troublemakers,” he added.EchoingMrMunshi, MsSufian said, “Basic pay or gross wage of no workers will be declined.”Basic pay for grade seven rose by only Tk 256 if a 5.0 per cent annual increment is taken into account since 2015, labour leaders told the meeting.Besides, basic pay under grades 01, 02 and 03 declined in real terms by Tk 405, Tk 412 and Tk 40 respectively, they lamented the fact.The new pay structure took effect on December 01, 2018.The meeting, however, advised the agitators not to be misguided and pay heed to any rumour.The stakeholders urged them to join their work.
