Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury announced today that the government will review and revise the minimum wage for tea workers in August. This revision is part of the government's commitment to improving the quality of life for tea workers.
Minister's Assurance in Parliament
Speaking during a parliamentary session, the minister assured lawmakers that the Wage Board, which includes representatives from both employers and workers, will meet next month to consider the latest wage revision. The Wage Board is constituted under the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006, and reviews wages every three years.
Factors Considered in Wage Determination
Ariful Haque Choudhury explained that wage determination is carried out in accordance with Section 141 of the Labour Act. Several factors are taken into account, including inflation, employers' financial capacity, production costs, and the living standards of workers.
Government Initiatives for Tea Workers
The minister highlighted that the government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is committed to not only raising wages but also improving the overall quality of life for tea workers. Initiatives include improving housing facilities, ensuring access to safe drinking water, strengthening healthcare services, expanding educational opportunities for workers' children, enhancing skills development, and widening social safety net coverage.
Parliamentary Discussion and Resolution
The announcement followed a private member's resolution moved by BNP MP from Moulvibazar-4, Md Showkatul Islam, who called for fixing the daily minimum wage of Tk 500 for a tea worker. The minister responded that the public interest and workers' welfare issues highlighted by the lawmaker would receive due consideration. The resolution was later withdrawn after the minister's assurance that the Wage Board would meet in August to revise the minimum wage.
Comparative Wages in the Region
Lawmakers noted that the minimum wage of Bangladeshi tea workers is among the lowest in the world. They compared it with wages in Assam and Sri Lanka, questioning why Bangladeshi tea owners cannot pay higher wages if their counterparts in other regions can do so while remaining profitable.
