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CPD proposes Tk 17,568
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suggested that of the seven wage grades, that of 5 and 6 be merged.
Child allowance should be adopted as children’s education costs are now a significant component in the upkeep of workers’ families, said the CPD.
Chairman of the Minimum Wage Board Liaquat Ali Mollah said they hope to recommend a rate by next month so that it can come into effect from December.
While the garment factory owners are facing rising costs of gas, power, US dollar, transport and bank interest rate, the workers are also dealing with high inflation and increasing living costs, he said.
It is the small and medium companies with limited financial capabilities that face problems in paying workers, he said.
So far different trade unions proposed Tk 23,000 and Tk 25,000 as the minimum wage, he added.
A logical wage structure should be declared considering the significant increase in the prices of essentials, said Montoo Ghosh, president of Garment Sramik Trade Union Kendra.
The space for expressions through trade unions is being squeezed day by day, he said.
The onus is also on the garment buyers for increasing the pay for workers, said Mohammad Hatem, executive president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association.
International retailers and brands pay $2 for a t-shirt made in China and Vietnam but $1.6 for that from Bangladesh, he explained.
The buyers are taking away 80 percent to 85 percent of the profit and paying only 10 percent profit to the suppliers, he said.
Bangladesh should look into why it gets lower prices, said Faisal Samad, a Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) director.
The factories have been suffering from a decrease in work orders over the last one year, said Md Siddiqur Rahman, a representative of the factory owners in the minimum wage board.
Sirajul Islam Rony, a representative of workers on the board, suggested checking a rise in house rent after implementation of the new wage rates and providing subsidised food for workers.
The BGMEA is ready to implement the new wage structure from December this year, said BGMEA President Faruque Hassan.
Taslima Akter Lima, president of Bangladesh Garments Sramik Sanghati, also spoke.

Govt allows
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Industry insiders say there is a daily demand for over 4 crore eggs in the country.
Imported eggs are yet to arrive in the market and two pairs of eggs were selling at Tk 48-Tk 50 in Dhaka yesterday, according to prices data of the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh.
Md Haidar Ali, public relations officer at the commerce ministry, said some consignments of imported eggs were expected to arrive this week.