Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday said the minimum wage for garment workers would be announced as soon as possible following consultations with relevant stakeholders.
He said a Wage Board comprising representatives of both workers and employers had already been formed to determine the new minimum wage.
“The board may hold its first meeting today. If not, it will meet very soon, and the minimum wage will be fixed within a specific timeframe through discussions,” he said.
The minister made the remarks while speaking to journalists at the Secretariat following a meeting with leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA).
Salahuddin Ahmed alleged that some industrial owners, including former members of parliament, ministers and state ministers, were involved in instigating unrest in the garment sector and had links to banned organisations.
He warned that strict action would be taken against those attempting to create instability and disrupt law and order under the guise of labour movements.
“The Prime Minister has issued directives to ensure workers' interests are protected and their living standards improve. He has emphasised that all relevant factors must be considered with empathy while determining wages,” the minister said.
He noted that the current three-year wage cycle would expire in December. The Wage Board would consult all relevant stakeholders and determine the minimum wage in line with prevailing economic conditions.
Therefore, he said, there was no justification for unrest in the sector.
Referring to alleged political involvement in the recent labour unrest, the Home Minister said some groups linked to the ousted regime had been using ordinary workers to create instability over the past few days.
“Some industrial and mill owners are involved, along with certain groups operating under the banner of labour organisations. It is questionable whether they are genuinely concerned about workers' welfare. They have fuelled unrest and violence, attempting to destabilise the country through street protests, which do not serve the interests of workers,” he said.
The minister said several individuals allegedly involved in such activities had already been brought under the purview of the law.
“We have collected video footage and other evidence of their activities, including audio recordings and visual footage of various violent incidents,” he added.
Salahuddin Ahmed also sought cooperation from employers, asking them to provide a list of industrial owners who had deliberately kept their factories closed.
He said employers had also been asked to identify the organisations and individuals allegedly involved in inciting unrest.
“We believe no genuine worker or labour organisation would engage in activities that go against workers' interests. Those instigating the unrest include identified individuals linked to fallen political forces. They are not workers,” he said.
He added that genuine workers and labour leaders would never want to destroy their own livelihoods.
The minister urged anyone who might have become involved in such activities, even unknowingly, to immediately withdraw from them.
Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury, Prime Minister's Adviser Mahdi Amin, and Advocate Shamsur Rahman Simul Biswas, MP for Pabna-5 and chief coordinator of the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, were also present at the meeting.
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