Minimum wage: Tannery workers demand immediate implementation, owners say 'impossible'  

Tannery workers in Dhaka have staged protests demanding the immediate implementation of the government-declared minimum wage across five grades.

They held a two-hour work stoppage and demonstration near the main gate of the Savar Leather Industrial Park today (29 January) from 10am to 12pm, calling for the enforcement of the new wage structure. They also warned of tougher action if the authorities do not act swiftly.

Workers vowed to continue their protests until their demands are met, warning of tougher action if the authorities fail to implement the new wage scale.

However, tannery owners say the new wage is unrealistic under current economic conditions. 

Mozibur Rahman, president of the Leather Industry Development Committee (LIDC), which represents 13 tannery owner associations, told The Business Standard, "Implementing this minimum wage is impossible. If we try, all tanneries will have to shut down. Already, 95% of tanneries are closed."

"The way the minimum wage has been set will force all tanneries to shut down. The decision was not made properly. Previously, minimum wages were determined through discussions involving tannery owners, workers, and their representatives. But this time, the process has been chaotic," he added.

"A few days ago, we sat for discussions with worker representatives, but the meeting had to be suspended when one of our owners fell ill. We will hold another meeting with labour leaders on Sunday to try and resolve the issue through negotiations," Rahman said.

Workers demand fair wages

Abdul Malek, general secretary of the Tannery Workers Union, said the government finalised the gazette on 21 November, and by law, it should have been implemented from that day. 

"But the owners are delaying and making excuses. Our last pay rise was three years ago, while the cost of living has skyrocketed since then."

"Our demand was Tk25,000, but after several rounds of negotiations, the owners proposed Tk18,001. That was their offer – so why are they backtracking now? Their signatures are on the wage board decision," he said.

"In the past, we had agreements with the owners stating that the minimum wage would be implemented in phases. But they never honoured those agreements. This time, we will not settle for any deal that offers less than the declared minimum wage," he added.

Earlier in the day, tannery workers staged a protest under the banner of the Tannery Workers Union, holding a two-hour work stoppage from 10:00 to 12:00 to press for their demands.

Additional demands

Beyond the minimum wage implementation, workers raised several other demands, including the full enforcement of labour laws, issuance of appointment letters and identity cards for all workers, an end to the hiring of temporary workers for permanent jobs, and a ban on recruiting through middlemen or contractors.

They also demanded the establishment of a 50-bed hospital in the industrial park, affordable canteens and housing for workers, the right to form trade unions freely as per International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, and proper solid and liquid waste management to ensure social compliance in the tannery industry.

Jhorna, a female worker at the protest, said, "The government has set a minimum wage across five grades through the wage board, but the owners have yet to implement it. I currently earn only Tk10,000 – how can a family survive on this? We can't even afford basic meals, let alone raise our children properly."

Rajib, a worker of Apex Tannery, said, "The government has issued a gazette setting the minimum wage at Tk18,001 across five grades. But the owners are stalling and finding ways to avoid implementation. We had no choice but to take to the streets, and we will continue our movement until our demands are met."