DHAKA, Dec 19, 2023 (BSS) – Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers 
and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Faruque Hassan 
today said that the minimum wages as set by the government for 
the RMG workers is standard considering Bangladesh’s 
perspective and it is not a matter of shame.

“We’re pledge-bound to provide salaries to the RMG workers 
regularly which has to be consistent in maintaining their 
livelihood,” he said.

Faruque said this while talking to BSS when a group of eight 
US Congress members penned a letter to the American Apparel & 
Footwear Association (AAFA) urging support for fairer wages 
and safeguarding of labour rights for Bangladeshi workers.

The signatories, comprising Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Rep. Jim 
McGovern (D-MA), Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Reps. Raúl 
Grijalva, Barbara Lee, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, David Trone, 
and Susan Wild, collectively emphasized the need for AAFA's 
robust backing for fair compensation among Bangladesh's RMG 
workforce.

The BGMEA president said they are in favour of implementing 
such wage structure which could be payable regularly.

He informed that the new wage structure for the RMG workers 
having a 56-percent hike is being implemented, adding that 
there will also be a five percent increment annually.

Faruque said the Congress members alongside increasing the 
wages, have also advocated for increasing the price of the RMG 
items.

“Alongside the increased wages, the buyers should also 
increase the price of RMG items,” he added.

The letter by the US Congress members delved into the 
aftermath of Bangladesh's wage board's recent wage hike 
announcement, critiquing the increase as insufficient to meet 
the surging cost of living. 

The letter is endorsed by Academics Stand Against Poverty, 
Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (AFL-CIO Affiliate), 
Industrial Global Union, Institute for Policy Studies – Global 
Economy Project, Labour Behind the Label, Oxfam America, and 
Workers United (SEIU Affiliate).