64pc RMG workers struggle to meet necessities: Survey

Most readymade garment (RMG) workers in Bangladesh cannot fulfil their basic necessities, shows a study.

A survey conducted by IndustriALL Bangladesh Council (IBC) reveals that 64 per cent garment workers cannot meet their necessary needs while 77.2 per cent have to work overtime to fulfil their minimum demand.

Bangladesh Textile Garment Worker League (BTGWL) President ZM Kamal Anam presented the study at a discussion on Thursday at CIRDAP auditorium in the city, says a UNB report.

"Only 0.40 per cent of the garments workers can save some money while 99.60 per cent have no savings," said Anam while presenting the study.

IBC conducted the survey among 850 garments workers in Dhaka, Gazipur, Ashulia-Savar, Narayanganj and Chittagong in 2016.

The study also reveals that RMG workers in Bangladesh get lesser wages than the neighbouring countries like India and Cambodia, said the BTGWL president.

“Bangladeshi workers get $67 while workers in India and Cambodia get $168 and $170 respectively”.

He also said the minimum salary for a sweeper on government pay scale is 15,250 while the minimum salary of a garment worker is 5,300 and only 13 per cent of the garments workers enjoy their holiday.

IBC Secretary General said the concerned authorities should think about increasing wage for the garments workers.

"We are not giving any figure and making an urge so that they increase the salary of the workers".

IndustryAll Global Union, South Asia’s Regional Secretary Apoorva Kaiwer said each and every worker has the right to a lead decent life and IdustryAll is committed to defend that right.

Leaders of the different labour organisations attended the discussion with IBC Chairman M Mojibor Rahman Bhuiyan in the chair.