Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said that the demand for readymade garments (RMG) workers for salary hikes is logical in view of the rising commodity prices amid the current global economic situation, BSS reported.
“Due to the Russia-Ukraine war, the prices of daily essentials have increased in the world market and also in Bangladesh. The workers are suffering. The workers’ demand for a wage hike is justified,” he added.
For this, it is necessary to form a wage commission and conduct a study on the overall aspects of workers’ living costs, product prices, and production costs, he said.
The minister said this while speaking as the chief guest at the 16th bi-annual conference of the National Garment Workers Federation-2022 at the media complex auditorium of the National Press Club in the capital on Friday.
Tipu Munshi said that the value of the sweat of workers is not less than the value of blood and the garment sector has reached its present position today due to the sincere efforts of the workers and owners.
“The interests of both workers and owners need to be ensured. For this, it is necessary to ensure the fair wages of the workers as well as the appropriate prices of the products,” he added.
However, Tipu said, salary negotiation should be done after assessing the income of owners and the current salary structure.
“Time has come to increase the salary of garment workers through wage board negotiations,” he added.
The commerce minister said that labor organizations and leaders should be educated and responsible.
“They have to look after both the interests of the workers and the interests of the owners. If the company does not survive, neither the workers nor the owners will survive. Everyone should work in the interest of the organization. Trade unions should be in the interest of the workers,” he added.
He said it is natural that there will be labor organizations according to the labor law. “I would expect both parties to be responsible. The government will continue to provide all necessary assistance to workers and employers,” he added.
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