Minimum wages
A big controversy is going on for the last few months about the wages of the garment workers. Only God knows when it will come to an end. The government has fixed it at Tk. 3,000. per month. To general public like me (not stakeholders in the sector), it is reasonable considering the pros and cons. I talked to many owners of garment industries and most of them vehemently oppose this minimum wage for different reasons. I agree with their point like our workers' efficiency is much less than others', bank interests are too high here, higher shipment costs with many uncertainties etc. But when I see the increase in minimum wages of Chinese workers to $140. (about Tk 10,000), Thailand's $ 70.00, Vietnam's $60.00 and Cambodia's $50.00, why are we afraid of paying only $40.00? If our workers' efficiency is less, then industry management must find out means to improve it and if they cannot, then they must not adjust their failure with the hard labour of workers. If our workers are best certified in Korea, Japan and Singapore, then why do garment industry owners here fail to make the best use of them?
So, the minimum wage of Tk. 3,000 is justified.
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