Against the backdrop of persistent inflation, soaring house rents, and rising costs of living, worker representatives on the Minimum Wage Board have formally submitted a proposal to fix the monthly minimum wage for workers in the export-oriented Readymade Garment (RMG) sector at Tk 32,000.
The written proposal was handed over to Board Chairman Syed Azad Subhani during the board’s second meeting held on Monday (November 9, 2026) at its office in Segunbagicha, Dhaka. This new proposal aims to replace the current minimum wage of Tk 12,500, which was established at the end of 2023.
Proposed Graded Wage Structure:
Grade-1: Tk 48,000
Grade-2: Tk 43,000
Grade-3: Tk 38,000
Grade-4 (Lowest Entry Grade / Minimum Wage Baseline): Tk 32,000
Babul Akter, the newly appointed labor representative on the board, stated that considering current market prices, housing expenses, medical costs, and children’s education, a four-member family requires between Tk 45,000 and Tk 60,000 per month. However, the demand for Tk 32,000 was calibrated keeping the industry’s financial capacity in mind. He added that the majority of workers have resumed work and urged intelligence agencies and the government to step up surveillance to prevent any instigation of unrest.
Citing ongoing disruptions and security concerns across industrial belts, factory owners’ representative A.B.M. Shamsuddin requested 7 working days to submit a counter-proposal. However, Chairman Syed Azad Subhani granted them 4 working days instead. He cautioned that if the owners fail to present their proposal within this timeframe, the board will proceed independently. The board is scheduled to inspect various industrial zones prior to its next meeting.
