Bangladeshi Textile Workers Strike Results Clothing Workers Will Get Pay Rise

Bangladesh is already the second largest in the world Ready to wear In exporting countries, the scale of domestic clothing industry is about 22 billion US dollars, accounting for 80% of the total domestic exports. However, the low wages and poor working environment of garment workers have always been criticized by Bangladesh. Discontent among workers has led to frequent strikes in Bangladesh, and in recent weeks there have been several strikes in the hope of a pay rise alone. In addition, a clothing factory house collapse in April this year directly led to the death of 1100 workers, which also made the majority of garment workers more dissatisfied with the government and factory owners.

It is reported that after receiving the news of a pay rise, worker According to the relevant personnel of the Federation, the salary of 5300 Taka is quite different from their requirement. What they originally asked for was to raise the minimum wage to 8000 Taka.

"The salary committee came to this figure after considering the current situation and weighing the interests of both the factory owner and the workers." Said AK Roy, chairman of the pay Committee.

At the same time, the majority of garment factory owners appeal that the government should not ignore the negative impact on the competitiveness of the clothing industry when considering increasing the wages of workers.

"We ask the government to consider our practical ability and not to make a decision for emotional or political reasons Pay rise 。” A representative of the garment manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh said.

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Manufacturers in Bangladesh are suffering huge losses due to labor unrest, which may reach $770 million, according to preliminary estimates. Since September 21, riots broke out in some garment factories in Bangladesh, some workers went on strike and protested the current low wage treatment with destructive actions. The riot caused by the protest lasted about six days. As a result of the strike, production stopped, some foreign buyers once again worried about the stability of the garment industry in Bangladesh.

An official from the Bangladesh garment manufacturers and exports Association (bgmea) said there were varying degrees of riots in nearly 3000 garment factories, of which 65 were severely damaged and 25 were set on fire. These plants are located in kaliakoir, Chandra, mouchak and konabari. Dissatisfaction with the current minimum wage is the main reason for the conflict. The current minimum monthly salary was set in 2010. Representatives of garment workers in Bangladesh asked to raise the minimum monthly wage from the current 38.53 US dollars to 104.36 US dollars. During the negotiation process, the representatives of garment enterprises said that they could only increase the current minimum monthly wage by 20% to 46.30 US dollars, which aroused the dissatisfaction of workers' representatives. {page_ break}

After coordination by government officials, the storm subsided at the end of September, but the industry's concerns did not disappear. "As a result of recent strikes and wage increases, the cost of the clothing industry in Bangladesh has increased by 12% to 13%. The political situation and higher exchange rate uncertainty lead to higher production costs. " Said atiqul Islam, chairman of bgmea. Foreign buyers have begun to question the production capacity of Bangladesh's garment factories, including whether they can fulfill Christmas orders on time. "Due to the strike and political uncertainty, some foreign buyers have suspended or cancelled their plans to purchase in Bangladesh. The industry is now at a critical moment, and even an hour's delay in delivery can lead to unexpected risks, such as delayed payment. " He added.

Workers' riots caused by protests against low wages and demands for better welfare and working conditions often occur in Southeast Asian countries. Following the collapse of factories in Bangladesh in April this year, the demand for better treatment of garment workers is growing. Currently, Bangladeshi garment manufacturers and labor leaders have promised to work together to quell workers' discontent. "We are committed to other economic benefits that will be paid to our workers." According to atiqul Islam, bgmea is also developing a "sustainable salary structure" project for the clothing industry, and the association's wage committee is expected to release the latest minimum wage level in November.