Labour leaders call for unified wage structure, demands legal reforms, worker benefits

Labour leaders in Bangladesh's apparel sector have called for a national wage structure that includes 65% basic pay and a 15% annual increment.

The trade union leaders also demanded the formation of a uniform labour law and easier procedures for forming trade unions. They further proposed wage hikes every two years, taking into account the rising cost of living, as opposed to the current system, which implements wage increases after a five-year gap.

The demands were made during two separate meetings with the Labour Reform Commission, chaired by Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, today at Srama Bhaban in Dhaka. In response to the demands, the commission's chair said they are working to include the opinions of all stakeholders in their recommendations to the government.

Six trade unions, including Industrial Bangladesh Council, Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP), G-SKOP, and Trade Union Center, jointly presented an 11-point demand to the commission during one of the meetings in the morning.

Other demands included increasing the workers' maternity leave to six months, as opposed to the current 120 days, and introducing a mandatory provident fund.

They also urged the cessation of using the central fund for group insurance purposes.

Labour leaders also sought amendments to simplify trade union registration by abolishing the 20% worker requirement threshold and introducing an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanism for quicker settlements. They also demanded punishment for factory owners who violate labour laws.

Calls for wage reforms

According to the proposals, wages should be set at an amount sufficient to meet workers' livelihood needs, progressing toward living wages by considering basic needs, prices of essentials, and other factors.

They also demanded 65% basic pay, adding that overtime, bonuses, and service benefits should be calculated based on the basic pay.

The proposal also called for the establishment of a uniform labour law to standardise practices across industries and ensure fair treatment of workers.

Speaking at the evening meeting, labour leader Shafiul Islam emphasised the need to amend existing laws to guarantee service benefits for workers with at least one year of employment. He also called for incorporating provisions to penalise delays in resolving labour disputes.

Lovely Yeasmin, another labour leader, proposed the formation of an emergency fund to ensure timely payments to workers and to ensure that the welfare fund is used exclusively for the welfare of workers and their families.

Labour leaders also demanded that factory owners be held accountable, stating that punishments for owners have been either removed or reduced in many cases during past amendments to the laws.

They also demanded a minimum monthly wage of Tk25,000 for garment workers, with a 15% annual increment.

Talking to journalists, the reform commission's chair Sultan Uddin said they have a short time to prepare their recommendations as the government has given them only 90 days.

"We have a target to conduct 60 meetings, and 12 have already been completed," he said.

"We are working to include the opinions of all stakeholders in our recommendations, which will be finalised and submitted by mid-February," he added.

He mentioned that they will propose introducing an emergency fund to pay service benefits to workers who are laid off or may be laid off.

"Factory closures are not a solution to addressing problems. There are many ways to keep factories running while considering workers' jobs," he explained.

He further added, "If any factory requires government support, it can be considered."