Garment workers have demanded a minimum monthly wage of Tk32,000, the reopening of closed factories and the protection of trade union rights, citing rising living costs and growing financial pressure on workers.
They also called for the withdrawal of cases filed against workers, an end to harassment and torture, and fair representation of workers on the wage commission.
The demands were raised at a rally in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Friday.
Workers brought out a procession after the rally, chanting slogans demanding higher wages, the reopening of closed factories and the protection of their livelihoods.
“Set the minimum wage at Tk32,000,” “Reopen closed factories,” “No more delaying tactics over our demands” and “Workers of the world, unite” were among the slogans chanted during the procession.
Addressing the rally, labour leaders said rising prices of essential commodities, house rents, medical expenses, and gas and electricity bills had made it increasingly difficult for garment workers to make ends meet.
They said the current wage structure is insufficient to cover the basic expenses of a family of six to seven members and demanded that the minimum monthly wage be set at Tk32,000 in line with workers’ cost of living.
The leaders also called for fair representation of workers on the wage commission, protection of trade union rights, withdrawal of cases filed against workers, an end to harassment and the reopening of closed factories.
Sarwar Hossain, president of the Bangladesh Garment Workers Unity Federation, addressed the rally and urged workers to remain united in pursuing their demands.
Emphasising the need to strengthen communication among workers from different factories, he said workers would not accept attempts to worsen their hardships by denying them fair wages.
He also called on journalists to play a role in protecting workers’ rights.
