Labour leaders have demanded that the new minimum wage for ready-made garment (RMG) workers be implemented from January 2027, urging the Minimum Wage Board to expedite its meetings and finalise the wage structure without delay.

They called for consecutive meetings of the board, with only one or two days between sessions, suggesting that members even hold overnight discussions if necessary to reach a decision quickly.

The demands were made at a press conference at Shram Bhaban on Monday by Babul Akhter, workers' representative on the Minimum Wage Board and a labour leader.

Explaining the proposed timeline, Akhter said the last minimum wage was announced in December 2023, meaning three years would be completed by December 2026.

"Discussions should not be postponed on excuses such as holding meetings every 15 days or the absence of a representative who is abroad. Meetings should be held continuously, with only a one- or two-day interval between them. If necessary, we should hold all-night sessions to finalise the wages promptly."

Speaking about the formation of the board, Akhter said although the law requires the Minimum Wage Board to be constituted within a specific timeframe, it was formed much later than scheduled.

He also alleged that labour union leaders and workers were being indiscriminately arrested and implicated in harassment cases to suppress the workers' movement.

Demanding the immediate release of detained workers and the withdrawal of what he described as false cases against them, Akhter also urged workers to return to their workplaces and refrain from staging sudden protests or agitations.

Several other labour leaders were also present at the press conference.