The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The minimum basic wage for workers should be TK 4500 per month speakers in a seminar said yesterday considering the present unstable economic situation of the country.

Dearness allowance system which would be adjusted every year along with inflation should be introduced permanently they also said.

Referring the present economic crisis prominent economist Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said only the hard labour of workers could ease the present situation if they are promoted through well payment.

Kholiquzzaman said we could not identify the problems of workers since trade union activities are banned under the state of emergency and urged the government to put off prohibition over it.

"I want the emancipation of the people which will be possible through the participation of ordinary mass in every sector", he said and added considering all the matters a commission should be formed to shield the workers from the whip of poverty.

Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) arranged the seminar titled "The Announcement of National Wages Rational to Rising Prices and Its Implementation" at the National Press Club.

The SKOP in its keynotes, read by Ray Ramesh Chandra, recommended to introduce rationing system and supply rice, pulse and oil at cheap rate through OMS for the workers.

Abdul Kader Hawlader, chairman of the SKOP, Dr Mostafizur Rahaman, executive director of Centre for Policy Dialogue and Shah Muhammad Abu Jafar took part in the seminar as discussants.