Business Eye Report
Bangladesh Tannery Workers Union called for the declaration of Tk 25,000 minimum wage for tannery industry workers. The demand was made at a press conference held at the Press Club in Dhaka, said a pres release on Tuesday. The first meeting of the minimum wage board announced for tannery workers was held on August 17, 2023, while the sixth meeting is due on July 22, 2024, setting up a gap of 11 months and five days. According to sub-section 2 of section 139 of the eleventh chapter of the Bangladesh Labor Act, the recommendation of the minimum wage is to be submitted to the government within 6 months of the formation of the board.
The Union expressed concern over the delays in announcing a new wage structure, attributing it to the negligence of the owners. They stressed that the prolonged delay is detrimental to the industry's stability and welfare, exacerbating the already dire financial conditions faced by tannery workers. Many workers are in debt, struggling with rising living costs, and are unable to afford basic necessities such as food, shelter, and medical treatment. TWU General Secretary Abdul Malek presented the press statement at the conference while the union's President Abul Kalam Azad chaired the event.
Joint Coordinator of Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) and Jatiya Sramik Jote Bangladesh President Naimul Ahsan Jewel and National Sramik Federation President Shamim Ara were present among others.
According to the press statement, the Union's proposal is based on a comprehensive study using the globally recognized Anchor Methodology which ensures that the wage recommendation is realistic and aligned with global standards. The wage recommendation is also supported by several national and international frameworks, including the Bangladesh Constitution Section-15, Bangladesh Labor Act, 2006 Section 141, Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 23, ILO Convention 131, National and International Commitments of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Social Security and Government Assistance Programs, Poverty Line for an Adult, and calculations of daily food expenses, minimum average cost of habitable accommodation, and other essential expenses.
Speakers at the conference highlighted that the current minimum wage, set in 2018, was Tk 13,500 and has incrementally increased by 5% annually, reaching Tk 17,548 in 2024. Any negotiation below this amount would be against the law. They criticized the wage proposal presented by the owners in the 5th Wage Board meeting, describing it as inadequately analyzed and significantly lower than Tk 17,548.
The first two meetings of the board were held on August 17, 2023, and February 27, 2024, respectively without and brought no decision. The 3rd meeting on May 6, 2024, saw the workers' parties submitting their proposals, but the owners failed to present theirs. Subsequent meetings on May 27, 2024, and June 23, 2024, resulted in the owners finally submitting a proposal that was deemed contrary to existing laws.
The current wage structure, as per the gazette published on February 27, 2018, was valid until February 27, 2023. In response, the Ministry of Labor and Employment established a Minimum Wage Board in 2023 to recommend a new minimum wage rate.
.png "Halim-&-Firni")
