US Department of Labour’s Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs Thea Lee has urged the government of Bangladesh to revisit the recent minimum wage decision to ensure that it provides equitable compensation that meets the needs of workers and their families.
"To prevent future unrest, we also urge the amendment of existing labour laws to guarantee that all workers can fully exercise their right to freedom of association and collective bargaining, as called for by the International Labour Organisation," Lee said in a statement.
The US Department of Labour is "deeply concerned" over the escalation of violence and "crackdown" on workers and trade unionists in connection with Bangladesh’s minimum wage review, according to Bureau of International Labor Affairs.
The department condemned the alleged police shootings of Rasel Howlader on Oct. 30, 2023, and Anjuara Khatun.
“A 26-year-old maintenance operator at Design Express Factory and member of the Sommilito Garments Sramik Federation, Howlader was killed during a protest. Khatun, a 23-year-old sewing machine operator and mother of two, was also killed during a protest," Lee said.
The department called on the government of Bangladesh to respect workers’ freedom of assembly, end the violent crackdown on workers and conduct a full investigation of alleged police involvement in Howlader and Kahtun’s killings.
“We also call for the immediate release of Jewel Miya, a labour organiser from the Bangladesh Independent Garment Workers Union Federation arrested in connection with the minimum wage protests," Lee said.
On Tuesday, authorities raised the monthly minimum wage for garment workers to Tk12,500 from the previous Tk8,300, but the workers and unions have been demanding Tk23,000. In recent weeks, the workers took to the streets, clashed with security officials and vandalised factories and vehicles to realise their demand.
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