Bangladesh Sramik Kalyan Federation central president Advocate Atikur Rahman criticized recently set wage levels for informal and unskilled workers at a labour rally in Rajbari on Friday. Speaking as chief guest at Nannu Tower Convention Center, he said wage-setting based on an old formula without considering current living costs was discriminatory. He called for workers’ fair wages and rights, alongside labour laws framed in line with Islamic labour policy.

Rahman said workers had contributed to every stage of Bangladesh’s development, including agriculture, garments, remittances, transport and construction, but their living standards had not improved as expected. He said many workers were denied the eight-hour workday and urged state action against establishments requiring longer hours without overtime pay. He also criticized the ministry-set monthly wages of Tk6,050 for informal and unskilled workers and Tk7,500 for skilled workers.

He said tea workers currently receive Tk196.50 daily after annual increases of Tk8, while garment workers receive Tk12,500 despite a stated family monthly cost of Tk26,000 to Tk27,000. Rahman said the federation would remain united in seeking workers’ rights. District leaders and federation officials also addressed the gathering.