RMG workers' demand for salary hike logical amid rising commodity prices: Tipu Munshi

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said that considering the global economic situation, garment workers demanding salary hike is logical as the prices of daily commodities have increased.

"The value of sweat of workers is not less than the value of blood. 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 price of the products," the minister said 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 Dhaka on Friday (16 September).

However, salary negotiation should be done after assessing the income of owners and the current salary structure, he said; adding " time has come to increase the salary of garment workers through wage board negotiations."

"Due to the Russia-Ukraine war, the price of daily essential goods has increased in the world market, and has also increased in Bangladesh. The workers are suffering, the workers' demand for wage hike is justified. For this, it is necessary to form a wage commission and conduct a study on the overall aspects of workers' living costs, product prices, production costs," he added. 

The commerce minister said that the labor organisations 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 owner will survive. Everyone should work in the interest of the organisation. Trade unions should be in the interest of the workers. It is natural that there will be a labor organisations 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," Tipu Munshi said. 

"Under the guidance of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, one crore families of the country are being sold some daily essential products including oil, dal, sugar at affordable prices through TCB. Rice is also in the process of being added to it. About five crore people in the country are benefiting from this. Efforts are being made to include up to a level of the apparel sector in this list. I will be very happy if that is possible,"the commerce minister added.