The Minimum Wage Board, which operates under the Department of Labor, has requested authorization to hold roving hearings, allowing it to impose sanctions and take legal action as part of an effort to strengthen its monitoring the application of wages in the country’s formal sectors.

To this end, a letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Business Standard, was sent by the Wage Board to the Secretary of Labor and Employment, seeking necessary amendments to existing labor laws.

Currently, the government imposes wages in 42 sectors, mainly called formal sectors.

The Minimum Wage Council reviews wages and submits its recommendations to the Ministry of Labor, which can either announce them as is or make changes before finalizing them. The council itself has no authority beyond its current function.

Labor-related irregularities and wage enforcement are mainly supervised by the Factory and Establishment Inspection Department and the Labor Department under the Ministry of Labor.

Sources within the Minimum Wage Board noted that, despite its establishment in 1959, the Board’s authority remains limited.

Raisha Afroz, secretary of the Minimum Wage Board, told The Business Standard: “Since the board recommends wages, it would be easier if it had the power to ensure proper implementation. To this end, the president sent a letter to the Ministry of Labor. requesting authorization for a circuit court for the department.

The Board’s proposal to amend the labor law states: “To ensure enforcement of wage rates, the Minimum Wage Board will conduct on-site inspections of private industrial establishments and factories throughout the country. »

The proposal continues: “The President may hold roving hearings to verify and ensure that salaries, benefits, and gratuities are paid in accordance with the Official Gazette. »

It also specifies that “If violations are identified during a mobile hearing, the commission will have the power to impose sanctions. »

Additionally, the proposal suggests nine other amendments, including appointing a new member within two months if a board member resigns, emigrates or dies.

Babul Akhter, general secretary of the Bangladesh Industrial and Garment Workers’ Federation, declined to comment on whether the Minimum Wage Board should have the power to run mobile courts.

He, however, said: “Since this institution recommends salaries, it should have the authority to monitor, handle complaints and initiate prosecutions.

“This organization, which examines salaries in 42 sectors, has neither logistical support nor personnel. To address these problems, a strong research unit is also needed. Currently, it has to rely on other institutions to get information.”

Wage Board officials said the board does not have its own office and operates with only 10 employees. Although it has a large building called Shrom Bhaban in the capital’s Bijoynagar, the Wage Board does not have space there.

After operating for several years in a dilapidated building, the organization moved earlier this year to a rented building near Shrom Bhaban. The president can only use one vehicle – and only in Dhaka.

Due to a lack of logistical support, including transportation, the council relies on private sector industrial owners to conduct wage reviews and monitor workers’ conditions.

It may be recalled that during a debate organized by the Bangladesh Institute of Labor Studies on October 27, union leaders expressed their displeasure over the poor state of the Wage Board.