Garment Sramik Sangram Parishad, an alliance of 11 garment workers associations, will observe countrywide strike today demanding Tk 3000 minimum wage and restructuring of the pay scale while other workers' organisations yesterday vowed to enforce a nationwide strike on october 15 and 16 threatening to obstruct roads, railways and waterways.

The Parishad rejected the minimum wage of Tk 1662.50 in the readymade garment (RMG) sector declared on october 5.

The Parishad and other garment workers' organisations also demanded implementation of the tripartite agreement among the workers, owners and the government.

National Garment Workers Federation, United Federation of Garment Workers and Sramik Karmachari oikya Parishad (SKoP) declared a countrywide strike on october 15.

National Protection Alliance for Garment Workers and Industries also declared a strike across the country on october 16.

Leaders and activists of Garment Sramik Sangram Parishad yesterday held rallies and urged the workers to make today's strike a successful one.

Bangladesh Garments Sramik Trade Union Kendra held a press conference in the capital yesterday and alleged that the recently declared minimum wage is 30 per cent less than the minimum wage of 1994.

Terming the recently passed Bangladesh Labour Law 2006 'undemocratic', leaders said at the conference that it would not serve the workers' interest. They urged the workers to refrain from work on october 15 and compel the government to cancel the recently passed Labour Bill and declare Tk 3000 as minimum wage.

"A garment worker will not meet his or her minimum basic needs with Tk 1662.50," said Ruhul Amin, general secretary of the organisation.

Different organisations including Jatiya Gano Front, Garments Tailors Workers League and Sramik-Karmachari Sangram Parishad yesterday expressed solidarity with today's strike.