Garment Workers in Chattogram Demand a Minimum Wage of 25,000 Taka

Sajid Sami Chowdhury

Chattogram, October 27, 2023 – In an effort to secure a minimum wage of 25,000 Taka for garment workers, the “Labor Union for Wage Increase in the Garment Industry” launched a rally on October 27th, 2023, in Chattogram’s historic Station Square. The demonstration, organized by the union leaders in Chattogram, aimed to address the pressing concerns of garment workers facing economic hardships.

Under the guidance of Abdur Rajjak, the convener of O.S.K Garments and Textile Workers Federation, and Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury, coordinator of the Garment Workers Unity, the gathering featured prominent figures such as Khorsed Alam, Convenor of the Bangladesh Trade Union Federation in Chattogram, Rahat Ullah Jahid, President of the Garments Trade Union Congress (TUC), Shafi Uddin Kabir Abid, and former central organizer Engineer Jahidul Alam Al-Jahid. District Secretary Mr. Sohag and Jamal Uddin, Chief of the Garments and Textile Workers Federation, were also in attendance.

The key message from the leaders centered around the extended struggles of garment workers, which eventually led to the government establishing a Wage Board for this workforce. However, garment industry owners have presented various reasons to resist wage increases, offering a new minimum wage of 10,400 Taka. This figure falls significantly short of the 8,000 Taka proposed five years ago, making it an unviable and unacceptable proposition for the workers.

Notably, various organizations have advocated for wage hikes due to the escalating cost of living. Over the past five years, the prices of essential commodities have surged, including a 15% increase in rice, a staggering 100% surge in lentils, 103% in flour, 126% in oil, 68% in salt, 67% in eggs, and a striking 180% in sugar. Furthermore, fuel, electricity, and gas prices have shown a continuous upward trajectory.

One critical question raised by the leaders is why the workers’ wages would not increase when business owners’ profits remain intact. The leaders also emphasized that owners and the government have sought to confound the workers’ movement through intermediaries and have neglected the workers’ rightful demands. To combat these deceptive tactics, the leaders encouraged garment workers to continue their united struggle for their legitimate rights.

The rally concluded with a protest march that circled the city’s main road, ultimately arriving at New Market More. There, the workers reiterated their demand for a minimum wage of 25,000 Taka, underscoring the urgency of their cause.