Bangladesh to Increase Minimum Wage for Textile Workers to Tk 10,000
In a significant move, the Bangladesh government has decided to enhance the minimum wage for textile workers, with the Wage Board finalizing a draft proposal. The new minimum wage is expected to be set at Tk 10,000, almost double the previous amount of Tk 5,710 fixed in 2018. The decision follows a 56% increase in the minimum wages of ready-made garment workers in the last three months.
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Raisa Afroz, Secretary of the Minimum Wage Board, confirmed the finalization of the draft and mentioned that the gazette publication on this matter is imminent. Industry insiders argue that the increase is justified, considering that the workload in the textile sector is relatively lighter compared to the clothing sector.
The proposed wage increase is seen as a positive step, aiming to address the economic well-being of textile workers. The Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) notes that there are around 1,780 factories under its purview, employing approximately 5 lakh workers. When factoring in non-member factories, the total number of workers in the textile sector exceeds 8 lakh.
Mansoor Ahmed, Acting Secretary General of BTMA, welcomes the initiative and highlights that the wage increase in the textile sector (75%) surpasses that of the garment sector (56%). This move is anticipated to have a positive impact on the livelihoods of textile workers and contribute to the overall well-being of the industry.
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