The Ministry of Labour has announced a wage increase for workers in the garment sector, effective from December 1. The announcement reveals that workers who were scheduled to receive their salary increments in December will see a 9% increase in their wages. Those whose increments were scheduled for months other than December will receive a 4% raise. This additional pay will remain in effect until the new wage structure is implemented.

On Monday evening (December 9), at a press conference held at the Secretariat, Labour Advisor Sakhawat Hossain confirmed the decision. He explained that, alongside the standard 5% increment dictated by the Minimum Wage Board, workers will now receive an additional 4% raise, resulting in a total 9% wage increase for those affected in December.

According to Hossain, the decision was reached after consultations between both the employers and the workers’ representatives. He emphasized that workers scheduled for increments in December would receive the combined 9% wage hike, while those with increments outside December would be granted the 4% raise.

The Labour Advisor also pointed out that the decision would remain in place until the new wage structure is officially announced.

In his remarks, Hossain addressed concerns about alleged conspiracies against the garment sector, noting that both domestic and international forces were working to undermine the industry. He mentioned that foreign media outlets have been encouraging buyers to move away from sourcing garments from Bangladesh. He expressed concern that workers were sometimes unaware or misled by such negative campaigns.

Labour Secretary A. H. M. Shafiquzzaman added that the Ministry had formed a committee based on the 18-point recommendations made in September to improve labor standards. The committee had taken 15 additional days beyond the set deadline to submit its recommendations, which included adding the extra 4% raise to the 5% increment. This proposal was accepted by both parties involved.

Babul Akter, the General Secretary of the Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers Federation, noted that after five meetings, the wage increase decision had been finalized. He also called on workers to return to their jobs, urging them not to fall victim to any domestic or international conspiracies.

The Ministry of Labour confirmed that this decision would help improve workers' living standards and maintain stability in the garment sector.