The new wage structure for readymade garment workers would be announced after the Eid-ul-Fitr festival, Bangladesh Labour Minister Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju has said.
The Minimum Wages Commission, constituted by the Government, wants to announce the new pay scale as soon as possible, the Minister told media persons after a meeting with a delegation from the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
Yoshiteru Uramoto, ILO’s assistant director general for the Asia Pacific region, led the ILO delegation.
Mr. Raju said the ILO has extended a financial assistance of US$ 40 million for improving safety conditions and welfare of those working in Bangladesh garment factories.
The Government had already taken several steps for better work conditions, which include relocation of apparel manufacturing units to Gazaria in Munshiganj, the Minister said.
Besides, the Government would also be appointing 200 factory inspectors, in addition to the 51 already appointed to monitor and ensure that safety standards are adhered at garment manufacturing units, he added.
The recent steps taken by the Government includes the passage of Bangladesh Labour (Amendment) Bill 2013, under which workers would no longer need to seek approval from their employers to form trade unions.
Last month, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) announced a contribution of Tk 1 billion for occupational safety in Bangladesh readymade garment factories, and formulating a special programme for addressing the issues related to safe working environment.
There are over 5,000 garment units in Bangladesh, most of them located in Dhaka, Chittagong and surrounding areas, which together employ more than 4 million workers, with majority of them being women.
Source:
http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/apparel-news/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=149563
