RMG sector's future
Photo: STAR
Has anybody gone through the OPEX workers demand list? They are asking for revision of minimum pay scale from Tk.1663 to 5000, attendance bonus increase to Tk.500, & yearly leave encashment, + 6 months' maternity leave (for all those who are not familiar, none are included in our existing factory acts! ) So, basically all these demands are over the law requirements. These issues can at best be requests but definitely not demands. Media should condemn this illogical demonstration by workers, especially when it's affecting not just the factory owners / buyers but the mass people. It's really an irony, that when the whole world economy is at its worst, and most countries' unemployment is hovering at around 10-15 %, our workers, politicians, & NGOs are making fuss over these extra benefits!! What a timing! One thing for certain, garments workers in Bangladesh are not forced labourers, so if one doesn't like what he /she gets they can always leave & opt for working in other trades, but to go to streets & block roads for these demands is illogical. No offence, I blame our politicians & media role for the present state in RMG. They are over- sympathizing with workers every time on issues which are not even logical. If this trend continues, garments owners will be compelled to close their factories for good. Then what will happen to these workers?
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments