DHAKA: Factory management maintains two separates pay roll for the same worker. One pay roll contains the real wages given to the worker while the other roll is there with the fictitious amount as desired by the owner. The made up amount is what, it is not known to the workers. This type of allegation has been raised by the workers.
 
The workers informed that one pay roll is kept in secret for the audit and buyers. Even when for administrative necessary the first one is shown. But the workers get the wages as per the second one.
 
In the first one the workers salary is quite fat, as stated by the workers.
 
A number of activists of Bangladesh Garments workers Emancipation Movement informed that at the time of paying wages, the workers have to sign the roll with the inflated amount as has been fixed. But the workers never get that amount. After that they are paid the wage they get.
 
A worker of Knit and Knitted private limited of Gazipur told that where the first signature is given, no receipt is given for that. But the pay roll where signature is given money with receipt is given. However we get much less salary as mentioned in the first pay roll.
 
The foreign owners of garments factories located here have also adopted the same foul practice. One Suman(pseudonym) employed in Korean Garments Amazing Fashion   informed that In the month of January when I drew my salary there the salary was written Taka 6720.00. But when I signed the second roll there it was written Taka 5700.00 which I practically get.
 
Regarding this foul play Textile Garments Workers Federation general secretary Tapan Saha told Banglanews that this unethical foul play of the owners is not new. For excess profit the owners do this and they are continuing. They present this thing to the buyers. But in real sense they are depriving the workers.
 
Same practice is prevailing in the capital like Gazipur. The workers of Sachko garments of Mirpur get the highest salary of Taka 4700.00. But in the secret payroll it was written  their initial pay starts from Taka 5300.00. Shabnom Hafiz, president of Bangladesh Garments Workers Emancipation Movement told that in most factories in the capital this practice is continuing.
 
Shabnom Hafiz told that if the government takes stern measure then this practice might be stopped. Simultaneously if the monitoring is enhanced then this foul play might stop once for all.
 
When contacted some owners regarding the matter but none opened their mouth. Riaz bin Mahmood, vice president (Finance) of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association(BGMEA) could not be available though tried numerous times. END.
 
BDST: 1434 HRS, FEB 26, 2014