Govt monitoring market to prevent abnormal price hike

Commerce, Industries and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir on Tuesday said that the government is closely monitoring the market and supply chain to prevent any abnormal increase in the prices of essential commodities following the recent adjustment in fuel prices, reports BSS.

"The government is monitoring the market situation while maintaining a normal and uninterrupted supply chain so that no unscrupulous trader can take advantage of the fuel price increase to make excessive profits," he said.

The minister made the remarks while briefing journalists after distributing raincoats among tea workers at Lakkatura Tea Garden field in Sylhet with support from the government's CSR fund.

He said the government is giving importance to keeping the supply system normal so that the fuel price increase does not lead to an abnormal rise in the prices of other essential commodities.

Muktadir said international crude oil prices have increased significantly in recent times, and the adjustment of domestic fuel prices is linked to the international market situation.

On fuel smuggling, he said border security forces are alert and district administrations are also monitoring the situation.

"The situation is being monitored considering the price difference of fuel with neighbouring countries. I do not think there is currently such a situation of fuel smuggling due to a major price difference," he said.

Regarding the demand for raising the daily wage of tea workers to Tk 500, the minister said the tea industry has a different nature from many other industries, with many tea gardens facing financial difficulties for a long time.

"Determining how much tea workers will be paid is not the only issue. Wages need to be ensured at a level that enables a tea worker to lead a normal and dignified life," he said.

He said the government is working to make tea gardens profitable and sustainable while improving the living standards of workers. The government plans to increase tea garden income through solar power generation, without harming tea plants, particularly in gardens with electricity transmission and distribution facilities, he said. Initiatives are also being taken to utilise suitable resources such as spice plants and timber, he added.

The minister said education, healthcare and communication facilities would also be improved in tea gardens. Schools would be established according to need, while roads would be improved in coordination with the relevant authorities. He said primary healthcare for tea workers would also be strengthened through community clinics.

The government will also create opportunities for the younger generation of tea workers' families to pursue higher education and receive technical and vocational training, he said.

"The government is working to restore the tea industry to its previous position. Our goal is to make the industry sustainable through coordinated initiatives to increase garden income, improve production and management, and improve workers' living standards," Muktadir said.

Regarding salaries and allowances in the public and private sectors, the minister said the government has taken initiatives to gradually increase the salaries of government employees as their pay had not been adjusted for a long time.

He said the increases are being implemented in phases rather than through a large one-time adjustment, keeping in mind the need to avoid additional pressure on inflation.

In the private sector, wages are generally determined by employers in line with market demand and labour-market conditions, he said.

"If an institution pays lower wages than the market rate, it becomes difficult for it to find the necessary workers," he said.

The minister also said some institutions under the Ministry of Industries would eventually come under private-sector initiatives. The programme was chaired by Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Abdullah Al Mamun.

Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury, District Council Administrator AbulKaher Chowdhury Shamim, Sylhet Metropolitan BNP President Nasim Hossain, General Secretary Emdad Hossain Chowdhury, SadarUpazilaNirbahi Officer KhoshnurRubaiyat, officials of different government and private organisations, and tea garden workers attended the programme.