Garment workers' wage board work starts on Sunday, labour minister announces

Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury has said the workers' wage board will be formed and its work will start next Sunday, 1 November, to fulfil the demands of garment workers.

He made the announcement on Friday night after a meeting at the minister's residence with leaders of workers' organisations on the ongoing labour unrest and the wage board.

The labour minister said: 'I would call on all my worker brothers and sisters — I have had an extremely fruitful discussion with your leaders. Its work will start from Sunday morning.'

He said: 'Of course we have things to do. I will give them one by one on the basis of discussion with them. We have to protect the workers, just as we have to protect our industries and factories. At the same time, the fair demands of the workers must be realised.'

The minister added that since Prime Minister Tarique Rahman took responsibility, they have been able to pay the workers' wages.

He said: 'I hope that within the next one or two days, from Sunday, God willing, the workers' desired wage board will be granted.'