Bangladesh garment workers reject 56% pay rise
The Hindu
Bangladesh raised minimum garment worker pay by 56.25%, to $113/mo. Unions rejected, demanding near-tripling to $320/mo. Protests, violence and ransacking of factories ensued. Brands urged PM to reach "successful conclusion" to wage negotiations.
Bangladesh raised the minimum monthly pay for the country's four million garment workers by 56.25 percent on Tuesday, a decision immediately rejected by unions seeking a near-tripling of the figure.
The South Asian country's 3,500 garment factories account for around 85 percent of its $55 billion in annual exports, supplying many of the world's top fashion names including Levi's, Zara and H&M.
But conditions are dire for many of the sector's four million workers, the vast majority of whom are women whose monthly pay starts at 8,300 taka ($75).
Workers have gone on strike to demand a near-tripling of their wages, with violent scenes in recent days, while employers offered 25 percent.
The minimum wage is fixed by a state-appointed board that includes representatives from the manufacturers, unions and wage experts.
"The new minimum monthly wage for garment factory workers has been fixed at 12,500 taka ($113)," Raisha Afroz, the board secretary, told AFP.
The figure was immediately rejected by unions, which have been demanding a 23,000 taka minimum.
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