The Minimum Wage Board has drafted a proposal recommending a minimum monthly wage of Tk 16,250 for workers in Bangladesh’s poultry industry, along with a five per cent annual increment.

The Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) on April 16 issued a gazette notification regarding the draft proposal and invited suggestions or objections within 14 days of its publication.

The Minimum Wage Board for the poultry industry was formed in January, 2024, marking the first time the sector has been brought under a formal wage structure.

According to the gazette notification, a worker at grade four would receive a minimum monthly wage of Tk 16,250, which includes a basic pay of Tk 9,500, house rent of Tk 4,750 (50 per cent of the basic pay), a medical allowance of Tk 1,500, and a travel allowance of Tk 500.

Workers at grade three have been proposed to receive Tk 20,750 as minimum monthly wage, grade two at Tk 26,750 and grade one at Tk 30,050 respectively.

The board has also recommended the same amount (Tk 16,250) as minimum pay for the employee of the grade four.

It has proposed Tk 11,500 as the monthly pay for both the apprentice workers and employees with the six-month period of apprenticeship.