New RMG wage from Dec 1, factories reopen

Garment factory owners and workers' representatives have agreed to implement a new minimum wage structure from 1 December. 

The consensus was reached at the first meeting of the eighth Minimum Wage Board in Dhaka's Segunbagicha on Wednesday. Under the agreement, garment workers will receive their revised wages in January 2027 along with their December salaries.

Babul Akhter, worker representative on the board and general secretary of the Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers Federation, said both sides agreed to implement the new structure from 1 December and complete the wage-fixing process within the month. 

ABM Shamsuddin, employer representative on the board and a BGMEA director, confirmed the consensus, noting that both parties agreed to expedite the process for ensuring disbursement of the revised wages in January.

Minimum Wage Board Chairman Syed Azad Subhani said the process got off to a prompt start as the board held its first meeting within three days of its formation.

Although fixing minimum wages for an industry typically takes six months, he expressed hope that recommendations reflecting workers' expectations would be submitted within the stipulated timeframe. Both sides are expected to submit written proposals at the next meeting, scheduled for next week.

At the meeting, workers' representatives also urged the government to gradually address issues related to labour law implementation, trade union rights, leave and workplace benefits. 

Calling on workers' organisations to jointly formulate a reasonable wage proposal, Babul Akhter demanded the release of arrested workers and labour leaders. He also urged workers to maintain normal factory production and resolve grievances through dialogue rather than protests.

Following Wednesday's decision, Gazipur Industrial Police Superintendent Amjad Hossain said '99.99 per cent' of garment factories in the district were operational on Thursday, including units that had declared sudden holidays on Wednesday. 

No untoward incidents were reported as of 9:00 am, while traffic moved normally on the Dhaka-Mymensingh and Dhaka-Tangail highways amid additional police deployments at Joydebpur Chowrasta and other key locations.

Workers queued to enter factories and resumed regular production across Bhogra, Naojor, Board Bazar and Signboard around 8:00 am, though the main gate of Libas Garment Factory on Joydebpur–Shibbari Road remained shut with 10 to 12 people standing outside. 

A female worker at Udesa Garment Factory said workers had heard about the new wage decision and saw no reason to continue their movement.

Sources: BSS, The Daily Star