Workers deprived of fair wages in last decade
Staff Reporter :
Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya, head of the White Paper Committee on the state of the economy, stated on Monday that Bangladesh’s labour force has not received fair wages over the past decade, despite the country’s economic growth.
Following a meeting with labour union leaders at the Nazia-Salma Conference Hall in the Planning Commission, Dr. Debapriya told journalists, “Despite the development Bangladesh has witnessed in recent years, the labour class has not seen a corresponding increase in their wages.”
The prominent economist, who is also a distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), highlighted concerns raised by labour leaders during the meeting.
They pointed out inadequate wages and a lack of basic social security provisions for workers.
According to Dr. Debapriya, workers face significant challenges in securing decent housing and maternity leave, with a notable absence of robust safety and security measures.
Labour leaders also expressed frustration over insufficient efforts to reopen closed factories, attributing this to vested interests and deviations in government regulations.
They further claimed that restrictions on trade union activities are preventing them from effectively advocating for workers’ rights.
“There are gaps in ensuring welfare initiatives such as provident funds and social security for workers,” Dr. Debapriya noted.
Echoing the concerns of the labour leaders, he said, “These issues help explain why workers have not received fair wages and benefits, even as the country progresses.”
Labour leaders also pointed out that Bangladesh’s labour laws have not been updated to meet global standards or to adapt to the modern economy, which increasingly incorporates artificial intelligence and advanced technologies.
Despite these challenges, Dr. Debapriya observed that labour leaders remain optimistic about improving conditions for workers.
He also provided an update on the progress of the White Paper Committee’s work, stating, “We have already met with young entrepreneurs, government agencies handling data, and social groups like business leaders and labour unions.
We plan to hold more sector-specific discussions, including with foreign investors and development partners.”
The committee has scheduled town hall meetings in Chattogram, Rajshahi, and Sylhet to gather further input for their report.
“We are incorporating findings from various studies and consultations and will share the draft report with the Chief Adviser before releasing it to the media,” Dr. Debapriya added.
