Bangladesh's main garment labour unions on Friday urged workers to stay calm after the industry's wage board agreed to raise the minimum wage following weeks of violent protests.
Union leader Meer Abul Kalam Azad asked workers not to take part in any subversive activities that could jeopardise the ongoing work of the wage board.
Veteran labour leader Nazma Akhter called on workers to be responsible. She said the minimum wage board had been formed and was moving quickly. She warned that if the board could not secure the support of the workers, it may not be able to move forward.
Workers are demanding a minimum monthly wage of 30,000 taka. The demand marks a 140 percent increase on the current 12,500 taka. Workers say rising food, housing, transport and healthcare costs have eroded their purchasing power in a country where inflation is running at around eight percent.
Unrest over wages began in October and threatened to disrupt an industry that earns around $38 billion a year. The sector accounts for four-fifths of the country's export earnings and employs more than four million workers.
The government-appointed board, which includes representatives of employers and workers, is expected to announce the new minimum wage by December.
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association will hold an emergency views-exchange meeting on Saturday, with wages and labour unrest expected to dominate the talks. More than 200 garment factories remained closed on Thursday as workers stayed away.
