The Minimum Wage Board has recommended a gross monthly minimum wage of Tk 12,000 for workers in the cement industry, with a 5 per cent annual increase.

This is the first time the government has brought the cement sector under wage regulation.

The labour ministry set up the wage board on January 4, 2023, by appointing representatives from both industry owners and workers to decide on wages for cement industry employees.

The board published its recommendations in a gazette notification on August 22, suggesting a Tk 12,000 minimum wage for workers.

The wage board has invited written objections or suggestions about these recommendations within 14 days of publication.

In its recommendations, the wage board has incorporated six grades for workers in the cement sector.

For the grade-6, the board has proposed Tk 12,000 as the minimum monthly wage that includes the basic pay of Tk 6,400, 50 per cent of the basic pay (Tk 3,200) as house rent, Tk 1,500 as medical allowance and Tk 900 as travel allowance.

The wage board has recommended the minimum wage for the grade-5 workers at Tk 12,525 that includes Tk 6,750 as basic pay, 50 per cent of the basic pay as house rent, Tk 1,500 as medical allowance and Tk 900 as travel allowance.

For the grade-4, the proposed minimum wage is Tk 15,000 that includes Tk 8,400 as basic pay, 50 per cent of the basic pay as house rent, Tk 1,500 as medical allowance and Tk 900 as travel allowance.

In the proposals, the minimum wage for the grade-3 workers has been set at Tk 18,825 that includes Tk 10,950 as basic pay, 50 per cent of the basic pay as house rent, Tk 1,500 as medical allowance and Tk 900 as travel allowance.

According to the recommendations, the gross pay for the grade-2 workers has been set at Tk 25,005 that includes Tk 15,070 as basic pay, 50 per cent of the basic pay as house rent, Tk 1,500 as medical allowance and Tk 900 as travel allowance.

For the grade-1, the proposed minimum wage is Tk 31,260 that includes Tk 19,240 as basic pay, 50 per cent of the basic pay as house rent, Tk 1,500 as medical allowance and Tk 900 as travel allowance.

The board has proposed a monthly gross pay of Tk 8,800 for apprentice workers, with a six-month apprenticeship period.

Additionally, the board has suggested a minimum monthly pay of Tk 12,000 for other employees in the cement sector.