DHAKA: The European Union (EU) has expressed concern over the labour unrest in readymade garment industries.

A team led by European Commission Delegation to Bangladesh Ambassador Dr. Stefan Frowein met Labour and Employment Minister Engineer Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain at his Secretariat office Monday and voiced concern.

Ambassador of France Charley Causeret and Ambassador of Alphons Hennekens accompanied the EC Ambassador Frowein.

“We discussed different issues including the recent incidents of garment industry,” the Minister told journalists after the meeting.

He said the EU countries import large amount of Bangladeshi garments and they expect Bangladesh government will resolve the persisting problem.

The Minister assured the envoys saying that the government took action to resolve the labour unrest.

“A wage board has been formed led by a Judge to fix minimum pay scale which would be declared by July 28,” the Minister said.  


The Minister said industrial unrest continued in Kachpur, Ashulia, Joidebpur and Gazipur for long for minimum wages.

“At present the minimum wage for 40 lakh workers of the sector is Tk 1662. A family cannot run with the amount”, he added.

The Minister also spoke to the Prime Minister on the matter twice and the PM asked to resolve the issue with care.

BDST: 1625 Hrs, July 4, 2010