There is no reason why such a basic legal provision should not cover all workers
We welcome the recommendation from a parliamentary watchdog for the government to set a minimum wage for agricultural workers.
Agricultural workers deserve recognition and protection as they have helped farmers in Bangladesh make huge contributions to the economy by creating a surplus in food staples.
It has been 30 years since the Agricultural Labour (Minimum Wages) Ordinance 1984 first proposed such a wage, but this has never been implemented.
That ordinance stipulated a minimum wage of a daily allowance of 3.27 kilograms of rice or an equivalent amount in cash. This figure needs to be updated as the present market rate in most areas for agricultural workers is at least Tk300 per day plus a daily meal, whereas the price of 3.27kg rice is only around Tk150. The sector also faces growing competition for labour from other industries such as RMG which has a statutory minimum wage of Tk5,300 per month.
While it is natural for the government to focus labour law reforms on groups of workers recognised under the law, especially in key industries like garments, there is a strong case for the government setting a uniform minimum wage for workers in all sectors.
This would not prevent industries with established wage boards and unions from keeping or raising the minimum wage in their sectors.
It would, however, ensure better protection and subsistence for workers at the lowest rung of the socio-economic ladder, and the many people in casual jobs and domestic service. There is no reason why such a basic legal provision should not cover all workers in the country.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
