RMG workers reject Tk 8000 minimum wage

Turning down the Tk 8000 as minimum wage fixed by the government, readymade garment (RMG) workers on Friday staged demonstrations in the city and demanded Tk 16,000 as minimum wage.

Several hundred garment workers staged a sit-in in front of the National Press Club around 11:30am, reports UNB.

Abul Hasan, officer-in-charge of Shahbagh police station, said the RMG workers also brought out a precession protesting the government decision.

While speaking, Joly Talukder, general secretary of the union, said, “Fixing of minimum wages for RMG workers at Tk 8000 is illogical and unjust.”

She urged the government to reconsider the decision, or else, she threatened, that they would go for a tougher movement and stage demonstrations in industrial areas of the city.

Vehicular movement at Topkhana Road and its adjacent areas remained suspended for nearly an hour following their demonstrations.

Later, police dispersed the workers from the spot.

On Thursday, the government fixed the minimum wage for the RMG workers at Tk 8000.

The decision will come into effect in December after the publication of a gazette notification.

RMG workers have long been demanding a minimum wage of Tk 16,000.