Registered No D A-1

BANGLADESH (Monogram) GAZETTE

Additional Issue
Published By Authorities
Thursday, 7 December 2023
[Substituted with same number and date]
Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
Prime Minister's Office
Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority (BEPZA)
EPZ Minimum Wage Board

Notification
Date: 20th Agrahayan, 1430 Bengal / 05 December, 2023 AD

As per No. 03.068.018.06.00.024.2010-719-Section 66 of Bangladesh EPZ Labor

Act, 2019 (Act No. 02 of 2019) and Rule 136 (1) of Bangladesh EPZ Labor Rules, 2022 EPZ
Minimum Wage Board has issued this notification for the information of all concerned
regarding the draft recommendation of minimum wage rates for all workers employed in
industrial establishments belonging to zones under Bangladesh Export Processing Zones
Authority (BEPZA), 2023.

It is further informed that –

If any person has any objections or suggestions on the draft recommendation of
minimum rate of wages for workers employed in industrial establishments belonging to the
zones published in this notification, in that case, within 14 (fourteen) days of the publication
of this Gazette notification, the said objection or recommendation should be sent in writing to
the Chairman, EPZ Minimum Wage Board, House No-19/D, Road No-6, Dhanmondi,
Dhaka-1205. After considering the objections or recommendations given within the said
period, the Board will submit the final recommendation to the Government.

Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman, NDC, PSC

Executive Chairman, Bepza
And
Chairman
EPZ Minimum Wage Board
(22843)
Price: Tk 12.00
22844 Bangladesh Gazette, Extra, 7 December, 2023
EPZ Minimum Wage Board
Draft Recommendation-2023

Under the Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority (BEPZA) by the

Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh based on the notification published in
the extra issue of the Bangladesh Gazette dated 09 November 2023 for determining the
minimum wages of workers employed in industrial establishments belonging to the zones,
(SRO No-308-Act/2023) By virtue of Section 65 of the Bangladesh EPZ Labor Act, 2019
(Act No. 2 of 2019), EPZ Minimum Wage Board is constituted.

As per the instructions of the said notification for fixing the minimum wages of
workers employed in industrial establishments belonging to the zones EPZ Minimum Wage
Board to review the minimum wage or salary structure and other relevant issues for workers
employed in industrial factories in non-zone (other country) areas as per Section 68 of
Bangladesh EPZ Labor Act, 2019 (Act No. 2 of 2019) various data were collected in
consultation with the owners and workers representatives of the industrial establishments of
all zones under the Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority (BEPZA).

Thereafter, with a view to recommending the minimum rate of wages for all
categories of workers employed in industrial establishments of various sectors under the
zones, several meetings of the Wage Board were held. According to Section 68 of the
Bangladesh EPZ Labor Act, 2019 (Act No. 2 of 2019) at the meeting of the Board, minimum
wage or salary structure of industrial factories outside the zone and other relevant factors
such as: current unstable world trade, ongoing geo-political unrest in different parts of the
world, decrease in export orders and increase in the price of raw materials, increase in the
price of daily necessities including house rent etc. and the owners of the industries wage
proposals submitted by representatives and workers' representatives are considered. As per
Section 66 of the Bangladesh EPZ Labor Act, 2019 (Act No. 2 of 2019) considering the
overall situation regarding fixation of minimum rate of wages for workers employed in all
sectors/categories of industries belonging to the zones, the EPZ Minimum Wage Board
unanimously submitted the following draft recommendations to the Government of the
People's Republic of Bangladesh:
(1) The minimum wage rates mentioned in Schedules “A”, “B”, “C” and “D” mentioned
in this recommendation shall be applicable to all the concerned industrial
establishments belonging to the zones under Bangladesh Export Processing Zone
Authority;
(2) The total wages will be determined by adding house rent (50% of the basic wages)
and medical allowance (fixed at Taka 2,375/-) along with the basic wages. i.e Total
Wages = Basic Wages + House Rent (50% of Basic Wages) + Medical Allowance
(fixed at Taka 2,375/-);

(৫)
Bangladesh Gazette, Extra, 7 December, 2023 22845
 Further, every industrial establishment shall provide food or meal allowance and
transport facility or traveling allowance to all workers employed by them, which shall
be in addition to the gross wages of the worker. The amount of the said benefits or
allowances shall not be reduced in any way to the workers of the industrial
establishments who are in receipt of food or food allowance and transport facility or
commuting allowance;

(4) Any worker mentioned in the Schedules shall be substituted in the grade in which he
is currently working in the recommended wage structure and his wages shall be
adjusted accordingly. No worker shall be downgraded from his existing grade. Note
that the revised principal and gross wages shall in no way be less than his present
principal and gross wages;

(5) The owner or employer of every industrial establishment shall fix the pay-fixation of
the workers employed in his establishment against each grade or post. In this case,
considering the length of service (including fractions) of the worker, adjust the new
wages with the current wages in such a way that the basic wages of each worker are
higher than the last basic wages drawn earlier and there is a visible and logical gap
between the wages of an old and a new worker in the same grade. The length of
service of the worker must be taken into account in adjusting the basic wages.

(6) In the light of this recommendation, after the notification by the government, the
owners of the industrial establishments belonging to the zones shall enter the workers
in the appropriate grade according to the respective grades mentioned in the schedule
and pay the wages by registering them in the wage register;

(7) The wages mentioned in Schedule “A”, “B”, “C” and “D” shall be considered as the
monthly minimum wages of the concerned workers and wages shall not be less than
the said minimum wage, however, if wages are paid at a rate higher than the said
minimum wage, it shall not be reduced;

(8) The employer or owner may, if he wishes, pay a higher rate of wages to any worker or
workers in accordance with the contract entered into on his own initiative or in sole or
joint venture;

(9) In addition to the minimum wages and various allowances mentioned in the
schedules, all the rights, facilities and allowances that the workers have been enjoying
in the respective industrial establishments, will remain in force and continue as per the
provisions of the relevant section of the Bangladesh EPZ Labor Act, 2019; unless his
said rights, privileges and allowances are less favorable than the rights, privileges and
allowances provided under the wage structure mentioned in this recommendation.

(10) The rate of increase in the annual wages of the workers of an industrial establishment
shall be determined on the basis of the evaluation of the overall work. In this case, the
rate of annual wage increase of minimum 50% workers shall be minimum 10% of
basic wages. The rate of increase in wages of the remaining workers shall be at least
5-10% of the basic wages based on the quality of their work.
22846 Bangladesh Gazette, Extra, 7 December, 2023
 However, in no case shall the rate of increase in the annual wages of any worker be
less than 5% of the basic wages. In evaluating the overall performance of the workers,
acceptable and realistic evaluation methods shall be followed and no favoritism or
discrimination shall be shown to any worker. Workers working on piece rate wages in
sweaters and other similar sector industries will also get the benefit of this basic wage
increase on an annual basis.

(11) After the effective date of this notification, the day/date of increase in the annual basic
wages of any worker will be determined as per the existing rules of the concerned
industrial establishment. In this case, he will be entitled to the benefit of annual wage
increase at the prescribed rate on the last basic wages drawn by him up to 30
November 2023 and on the new basic wages after payment fixation after 01
December 2023. In this continuation, he will be entitled to the benefit of annual wage
increment at an incremental rate every year thereafter.

(12) No worker shall be deemed to have been deprived of any increase in annual wages
due to the adjustment of the minimum wages prescribed by this recommendation.

(13) Apprenticeship period shall be 3 (three) months in case of apprentice workers

mentioned in the schedules. Provided, however, that in the case of a worker, the
apprenticeship period may be extended by another 3 (three) months if for any reason
it is not possible to determine the quality of his work during the first 3 (three) months
of apprenticeship. Apprentices during apprenticeship will get a monthly all-inclusive
wage of Rs.10175/- [basic wages 5200/-, house rent 2600/- (50% of basic wages) and
medical allowance fixed at 2375/-]. After the completion of the apprenticeship period,
the apprentice worker will be appointed as a permanent worker of the respective
grade.

(14) Workers employed in industrial establishments of various sectors belonging to the

zones shall be entitled to allowances and other benefits as per the relevant clauses and
rules of Bangladesh EPZ Labor Act, 2019 and Bangladesh EPZ Labor Rules, 2022;

(15) The working hours of the workers shall be determined in accordance with the relevant
clauses and rules of Bangladesh EPZ Labor Act, 2019 and Bangladesh EPZ Labor
Rules, 2022;

(16) If any part of this recommendation conflicts with Bangladesh EPZ Labor Act, 2019
and Bangladesh EPZ Labor Rules, 2022, that part shall be deemed to be void.

(17) The Authority's Circular No-03.06.2616.314.99.024.18-951 Dated: 27th November

2018 regarding determination of minimum wages for EPZ workers is hereby
cancelled.

(18) It will come into effect from 16 Agrahayan 1430 Bengal / 01 December 20223 AD.

Bangladesh Gazette, Extra, 7 December, 2023 22847

 Schedule-“A”
Minimum Monthly Wage Rate for Workers in Garments/ Garment Accessories/ Shoes/ Shoe
Accessories/ Leather Goods/ Service Providers/ Tents and Tent-Accessories/ Plastic
Products/ Toys/ Caps and Hats and other Allied Industries:
Serial no Worker Grade Monthly Basic Salary House Rent (Taka) Medical Total
(Taka) (50% of basic Allowance wages
wages) Prescribed (Taka) (Taka)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
1. High skill 9,750/- 4,875/- 2,375/- 17,000/-
2. Senior Operator 8,550/- 4,875/- 2,375/- 15,200/-
3. Operator 8,050/- 4,025/- 2,375/- 14,450/-
4. Junior Operator 7,617 3,808/- 2,375/- 13,800/-
5. Helper 6,950 3,475/- 2,375/- 12,800/-
6. Apprentice 5,200/- 2,600/- 2,375/- 10,175/-

Schedule – “B”
Minimum Monthly Wage Rate for Workers in Electronics & Electrical Products/ Software/
Lens & Glass Products/ Metal & Metalcasting/ Automobile & Auto Parts/ Bi-cycle/ Heavy
Industries/ Cosmetics/ Boats/ Golf Shafts/ Fishing Equipments and Other Allied Industries:
Serial no Worker Grade Monthly Basic Salary House Rent (Taka) Medical Total
(Taka) (50% of basic Allowance wages
wages) Prescribed (Taka) (Taka)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
1. Senior Operator 9,050/- 4,525/- 2,375/- 15,950/-
2. Operator 8,300/- 4,150/- 2,375/- 14,825/-
3. Junior Operator 7,767/- 3,883/- 2,375/- 14,025/-
4. Apprentice 5,200/- 2,600/- 2,375/- 10,175/-

22848 Bangladesh Gazette, Extra, 7 December, 2023

Schedule-“C”
Minimum monthly rate of wages for workers in Textiles/Chemicals/Dyeing/Oil &
Refinery/Agricultural Products/Furniture/Wood and Bamboo Products/and other related
industries:
Serial no Worker Grade Monthly Basic House Rent (Taka) Medical Total
Salary (Taka) (50% of basic Allowance wages
wages) Prescribed (Taka) (Taka)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
1. High skill 9,750/- 4,875/- 2,375/- 17,000/-
2. Skill Grade- 2 8,300/- 4,150/- 2,375/- 14,825/-
3. Semi-skilled 7,867/- 3,933/- 2,375/- 14,175/-
4. Un-skilled 7,250/- 3,625/- 2,375/- 13,250/-
5. Apprentice 5,200/- 2,600/- 2,375/- 10,175/-
 Schedule – “D”
Minimum Monthly Wages for Workers in Terry Towels/Sweaters/Wigs and Other
Allied Industries:
i) In case of piece rate workers:
Subject to the provisions of Rule 119 (5) of the Bangladesh EPZ Labor Rules, 2022, the
workers employed on piece rate wages in similar industries including terry towel/sweater/wig
manufacturing industries shall have their piece rate determined as normal working hours. For
the minimum monthly wages of the said workers shall not be less than the following wage
rates:
Serial no Worker Grade Monthly Basic House Rent (Taka) Medical Total
Salary (Taka) (50% of basic Allowance wages
wages) Prescribed (Taka) (Taka)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
1. Piece rate workers 7,250/- 3,625/- 2,375/- 13,250/-
2. Apprentice 5,200/- 2,600/- 2,375/- 10,175/-
Bangladesh Gazette, Extra, 7 December, 2023 22849

ii) In case of salaried workers: The minimum monthly rate of wages for salaried workers
shall be as follows:
Serial no Worker Grade Monthly Basic House Rent (Taka) Medical Total
Salary (Taka) (50% of basic Allowance wages
wages) Prescribed (Taka) (Taka)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
1. High skill 9,750/- 4,875/- 2,375/- 17,000/-
2. Skill Grade- 2 8,300/- 4,150/- 2,375/- 14,825/-
3. Semi-skilled 7,867/- 3,933/- 2,375/- 14,175/-
4. Un-skilled 7,250/- 3,625/- 2,375/- 13,250/-
5. Apprentice 5,200/- 2,600/- 2,375/- 10,175/-

Md. Nazrul Islam Moses: Mukta Akhter Subarna Akter Rasel Ahmed
Labor representative Labor representative Labor representative Labor representative
And And And And
Member, EPZ lowest Member, EPZ lowest Member (Co-opt), EPZ Member (Co-opt), EPZ
Wage Board Wage Board Minimum Wage Board Minimum Wage Board

Md. Saiful Islam Shahadat Musharraf Syed Mohammad Jin Deguchi

Labor representative Khan Tanveer Owner representative
And Owner representative Owner representative And
Member (Co-opt), EPZ And And Member (Co-opt), EPZ
Minimum Wage Board Member, EPZ lowest Member, EPZ Minimum Minimum Wage Board
Wage Board Wage Board

Chang Yoe Chong,
Felix
Owner representative
And
Member (Co-opt), EPZ
Minimum Wage Board
Pintu Kumar Saw Md. Nazmul Islam Fauzia Rahman
Owner representative Bhuyan Deputy Secretary,
And additional executive Ministry of Finance
Member (Co-opt), EPZ Director, Bepja And
Minimum Wage Board And Member, EPZ lowest
Member (Co-opt), EPZ Wage Board
Minimum Wage Board

22850 Bangladesh Gazette, Extra, 7 December, 2023

Mohammad Fiznoor Morsheda Akhter Md. Khurshid Alam Md. Tanveer Hossain
Rahman Joint Secretary, Labor and Executive Director Executive Director (Invest
Director-1, Prime Minister's Ministry of Employment (Enterprise Services), Development), Bepza
Office And bepja And
And Member, EPZ lowest And Member, EPZ lowest
Member, EPZ lowest Wage Board Member, EPZ lowest Wage Board
Wage Board Wage Board

Ali Reza Majid

Additional Secretary, Member (Invest
Development), Bepza
Member, EPZ minimum wages
 board

Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman

NDC, PSC
Executive Chairman, Bepza
and
Chairman, EPZ Minimum Wage Board.

Md. Tajim-ur-Rehman, Deputy Director (Deputy Secretary), Printed by Bangladesh Government Printing Office, Tejgaon, Dhaka.
Md. Nazrul Islam, Deputy Director (Deputy Secretary), Bangladesh Forms and Publications Office, Tejgaon,
Published by Dhaka.website: www.bgpress.gov.bd