Hundreds of thousands of leaders and followers of the Awami League and its affiliated bodies from various districts of Khulna division joined the rally in a fleet of reserve buses, pickups, motorcycles, while many were seen joining the rally on foot.
Regarding the movement of readymade garment (RMG) workers, the Prime Minister said that in view of inflation, the salary of government employees has been increased by only 5 percent, but the salary of garment workers has been increased by 56 percent.
Sheikh Hasina said that after assuming power in 1996, she found that the salary of RMG workers was only 800 taka (per month) and then she increased it to 1,600 taka. But during the BNP rule, Begum Khaleda Zia did not increase his salary even by a single paisa, he said.
“It was not Zia, Ershad or Khaleda Zia, but the Awami League that increased their salaries,” he said.
He said the minimum wage of RMG workers has now been fixed at Tk 12,500. He mentioned the efforts of his government when the rupee increased from Taka 800 to Taka 1,600, then from Taka 1,600 to Taka 3,200, from Taka 3,200 to Taka 5,200 and from Taka 5,200 to Taka 8,200.
“Although the RMG sector is a private sector, the government has increased their salaries through discussions with the owners,” he said.
The Prime Minister asked where is their (RMG workers) objection. He said, “About 19 factories were destroyed. Who is involved in this destruction? Who is among them? It is important to find out and see.”
Regarding the launch of the Universal Pension Scheme, the head of the government urged everyone to take advantage of the pension scheme, saying that it is security for all.