SAVAR: Tension boiled in Ashulia industrial area on Thursday over the announcement of the minimum wage structure for the garment workers.

The workers of two RMG factories halted their works demanding a minimum wage of Tk 5,000 that compelled one of the factories to shut down.

The wage board has already recommended raising the minimum monthly pay for garment workers to Tk 3,000 from Tk 1662.50.

The proposed raise is 80 percent on the present wage for an entry-level worker. Of the amount, Tk 2,000 will be the basic pay while Tk 800 or 40 percent of the basic will be paid for house rent and Tk 200 as health allowance.

Labour and Employment Minister Engr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain announced the new-wage structure on Thursday.

But different labour organizations have yet to accept the new wage structure.

Around four thousand workers of AM Design of Jamgora and New Age Limited of Nishchintapur went on work abstention demanding Tk 5,000 as minimum wage.

Police and witnesses said around two thousand workers of AM Design started demonstration Thursday morning. Later workers from all units of the factory joined the work stoppage.

On information, police rushed to the spot and took the situation under control.

Ashulia thana Officer-in-Charge Sirajul Islam told banglanews24.com.bd the workers became calm as police threatened them of filing case under Speedy Trial Act.

The workers joined their work after three hours as the president of Sadhin Bangla Garments Federation requested them on behalf of police.

On the other hand, the workers of New Age factory who went on work abstention in the morning did not join their duties despite repeated requests by the factory authority.

Later, the authority shut down the factory.

Security measures were tightened in Ashulia industrial area over the announcement of the new wage for the garment workers.

BDST: 1620 HRS, JULY 29, 2010