The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) is seeking support from the stakeholders of the garment industry including brands, trade unions, and buyers to adopt the new wage board to provide a better life for apparel industry workers.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan sent a letter to members of the Action, Collaboration, Transformation (ACT), an initiative of 19 international apparel brands and retailers, and the IndustriALL Global Union to address the issue of better living wages for the clothing sector workers.
“The BGMEA letter was sent in response to the ACT’s letter sent on September 12, regarding taking concrete steps on the minimum wage board,” media reports informed.
The BGMEA’s letter informed that providing a better life is not just the responsibility of garment manufacturers, but also of brands, trade unions, and global organizations.
BGMEA further stated that it would not be possible to implement a new wage structure, if brands do not cooperate in offering higher prices to the clothing exporters.
The letter also added that brands and buyers also have a responsibility to pay fair prices for products and so an ethical purchasing practice is the key to ensuring a better life for workers.
The Bangladesh government has already set up a new wage board but has to date not determined the minimum wage to be paid to the apparel industry workers.
BGMEA seeks the support of brands & unions to adopt a new wage board
