Bangladesh Trade Union Centre on Monday submitted a 10-point charter of demands to the Labour Adviser, calling for the immediate formation of a National Minimum Wage Board and declaration of Tk聽30,000 as the minimum basic wage.
To press their demands, BTUC organised a protest rally that began from the office of the National Democratic Front in Gulistan at about 11:00am and ended in a gathering in front of the Jatiya Press Club, according to a press release.
The rally was presided over by BTUC president Choudhury Ashiqul Alam and conducted by joint secretary Prokash Dutta.
NDF joint general secretary Shahjahan Kabir, BTUC general secretary Rojot Biswas, vice-president of the Hotel, Restaurant and Sweetmeat Workers鈥� Federation Akhtaruzzaman Khan, president of the Sawmill Workers Federation Khalilur Rahman, president of the OSK Garments and Textile Workers Federation Md Yasin, and BTUC Dhaka Metropolitan joint secretary Atikul Islam Titu, among others, spoke at the rally.
Speakers noted that while government data reports 73.4 million workers in the country, other sources suggest the figure exceeds 85 million, with over 92% lacking formal recognition.
They claimed that most informal sector workers are deprived of legal labour rights, including appointment letters, identity cards, regulated working hours, paid leave, maternity benefits, and compensation.
They also highlighted that only 43 out of 142 labour sectors have declared minimum wages, most of which remain within Tk 8,000-10,000.
With rising inflation and the absence of regular updates through wage boards, workers are facing severe economic stress.
The speakers demanded a national minimum wage guideline that reflects real living costs.
They calculated that a six-member worker family now needs at least Tk 30,000 in monthly basic wages to survive amid soaring prices of essentials, rent, transport, education, and healthcare.
The rally also raised concerns over growing rivalries between the US-led Western powers and China-Russia, accusing both blocs of attempts to involve Bangladesh in strategic conflicts.
Protesters urged patriotic and progressive forces to unite against such geopolitical entanglements and stand for workers鈥� rights and national sovereignty.
