Increase brings monthly minimum wage to US$66.25
Dhaka (AP) — A government-appointed panel in Bangladesh has voted to raise the minimum wage for millions of garment workers to about $66 a month — still the lowest in the world and well below what workers have been seeking.
The harsh and often unsafe working conditions in Bangladesh's garment industry drew global attention after the collapse of an eight-story factory building killed more than 1,100 people in April.
Garment workers have been demanding 8,114 takas (US$100) instead of the current monthly minimum wage of 3,000 takas (US$38), which is the lowest in the world. On Monday, the wage board raised the minimum wage by about 77 per cent, to 5,300 takas (US$66.25).
A right activist says Bangladesh still has the lowest minimum wage in the world, even if the raise goes into effect.
