In a move to provide relief to garment workers facing mounting living costs, the government has decided to introduce a special Open Market Sale (OMS) programme that will allow them to purchase up to 10 kilograms of rice per month at Tk30 per kg.
The programme is likely to be launched on 20 November. The move comes against the backdrop of ongoing labour unrest in garment-producing areas over wage demands.
Rice will be distributed through 75 OMS trucks operating on Fridays, the weekly holiday for the garment sector.
The Minimum Wage Board, constituted earlier this month, has already held two meetings. At its latest meeting on Monday, the workers’ representative proposed setting the minimum monthly wage at Tk 32,000.
The food ministry on Wednesday sought additional funding from the finance ministry to facilitate the programme.
In a letter to the finance ministry, the food ministry said the initiative aims to reduce food expenses for garment workers and ensure their access to affordable rice.
Only workers holding factory-issued identity cards will be eligible to purchase rice at the subsidised rate.
OMS is a government programme through which essential commodities are sold to consumers at prices lower than prevailing market rates. Initially, the programme is expected to cover Dhaka, Gazipur and Narayanganj districts, as well as Chattogram.
