The wages for workers in the cold storage sector are set to rise 12 years after the last rivision, as the minimum wage board has finalized a draft proposal recommending a minimum monthly salary of Tk14,000 for these workers.

The last review of minimum wages in the cold storage sector occurred in 2012, when the gross minimum monthly pay was set at Tk 6,050.

On September 12, the wage board published a gazette notification outlining a draft proposal that recommends a minimum monthly salary of Tk 14,000 for sector workers, inviting written objections or suggestions from stakeholders within 14 days.

The labour ministry established the wage board for cold storage workers on January 25, 2021,

After nearly four years of negotiations, the wage board finalized its recommendations, which include six worker categories and a provision for a 5 percent yearly increment.

For the grade I workers, the wage board has proposed Tk 21,350 as minimum monthly wage that includes Tk 13,300 as basic pay, 50 per cent of the basic pay as house rent, Tk 800 as medical allowance and Tk 600 as travel allowance.

The wage for the grade-II workers has been proposed at Tk 19,925 that includes Tk 12,350 as basic pay, 50 per cent of the basic pay as house rent, Tk 800 as medical allowance and Tk 600 as travel allowance.

For the grade-III workers, the wage board has proposed Tk 19,400 as minimum monthly wage that includes Tk 12,000 as basic pay, 50 per cent of the basic pay as house rent, Tk 800 as medical allowance and Tk 600 as travel allowance.

The wage for the grade IV workers has been proposed at Tk 14,000 that includes Tk 8,400 as basic pay, 50 per cent of the basic pay as house rent, Tk 800 as medical allowance and Tk 600 as travel allowance.

The wage board has also suggested Tk 9,800 as the monthly gross pay for the apprentice workers with the provision of a six-month apprenticeship.

The wage board is composed of a chairman, an independent member, a permanent representative from both employers and workers, and temporary representatives from each side.

Currently, there are approximately 370 cold storages in the country, employing nearly 6,000 workers.