Amid ongoing protests by garment workers demanding a minimum wage revision, an end to blacklisting, and the reinstatement of dismissed workers, the government has decided to form a new wage board for the readymade garment (RMG) sector. An official notification regarding the formation may be issued on Sunday (November 1).

Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury announced the decision at a press conference on Friday night (October 30), following a meeting with garment workers’ leaders. He said the process of forming the new wage board would begin on Sunday morning.

The minister emphasized that the government would work to ensure workers’ legitimate demands while maintaining uninterrupted operations in the garment industry. Describing the meeting with labour leaders as productive, he said the government would address their demands gradually through further discussions.

Addressing garment workers, the minister said the government had held constructive discussions with their representatives and would take necessary steps to resolve the issues raised. He stressed that protecting industrial operations and ensuring workers’ rightful demands were equally important.

Regarding wage payments, Ariful Haque Chowdhury said that since Prime Minister Tarique Rahman took office, the government had successfully ensured the payment of workers’ wages on various occasions, including two Eid festivals.

Reassuring workers about the swift formation of the wage board, the minister expressed hope that the process would begin on Sunday and that progress would be made within the next couple of days.