RMG workers seek fair wages, oppose factory closures

Garment workers' organisations have called for a rational wage increase without shutting down factories to resolve ongoing labour unrest in the readymade garment (RMG) sector.

They also demanded the release of arrested workers and trade union activists, withdrawal of cases filed against them and proper medical treatment for those injured during protests.

The demands were raised at a joint press conference organised by several garment workers' organisations at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) on Friday.

Mir Abul Kalam Azad, president of the Swadhin Bangla Garments Sramik Karmachari Federation, presented the written statement.

He said workers had long been demanding higher wages amid rising prices of essential commodities, house rents and other living costs. Under an 18-point tripartite agreement in 2024, the annual wage increment was raised from 5 per cent to 9 per cent, but the increase remained inadequate to meet rising living expenses.

Welcoming the government's decision to form a new wage board within three years, Azad expressed hope that it would recommend a reasonable wage structure based on workers' expectations, living costs and research by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and other institutions. The new wages are scheduled to take effect in December 2026.

He said wage increases alone would not resolve workers' problems, stressing the need for affordable housing, healthcare, education, transportation and other civic facilities.

Warning against factory closures, he said shutting down factories would deepen workers' uncertainty and dissatisfaction. He urged workers to remain patient and avoid activities that could disrupt the wage board's work.