Labour representatives on the Minimum Wage Board appointed for the RMG sector proposed a minimum monthly wage of Tk 32,000 for workers in Bangladesh's export-oriented ready-made garment industry. The proposal was submitted at the board's second meeting on Monday (Nov. 9) in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, amid ongoing worker protests demanding higher wages. The workers' side proposed Tk 48,000 for Grade 1, Tk 43,000 for Grade 2, Tk 38,000 for Grade 3 and Tk 32,000 for Grade 4 workers. Newly recruited entry-level and apprentice workers would receive Tk 30,000 under the proposal.

Babul Akhter, a workers' representative on the board, said the proposed wages account for inflation, rising living costs, housing rent, healthcare, and children's education. The current minimum monthly wage in the RMG sector is Tk 12,500, announced in 2023. Meanwhile, garment owners' representatives have been given four working days to submit their proposed wage structure after requesting additional time due to ongoing unrest in industrial areas.

Bangladesh Bank will allow the import of 11 essential food commodities under deferred payment facilities ahead of Ramadan, to keep market prices affordable and ensure steady supplies. The central bank issued a circular to this effect on Wednesday (Nov. 11). According to the directive, importers will be entitled to a deferred payment facility of up to 90 days for importing rice, wheat, onions, pulses, soybean oil, palm oil, sugar, chickpeas, spices, dates and peas. The aim is to keep supplies smooth and prices manageable during Ramadan.

Importers will be able to avail this credit facility for up to 90 days. Under this facility, importers will not be required to settle the full import bill immediately upon the arrival of the consignment in the country. Instead, they will have the opportunity to pay the import value at the end of the stipulated period on a deferred basis. This will allow importers to clear their bank liabilities after selling the goods in the domestic market. Central bank officials believe the move will ease working capital pressures on importers.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) approved the draft agreement with a Japanese consortium for operating the much-discussed Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka. The approval was given at a meeting of the CAAB board on Wednesday (Nov. 10) after a detailed review of the proposed terms and conditions, according to sources at the aviation regulator. Caab Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmood Siddiq presided over the meeting.

The board's decisions will now be forwarded to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism for approval before being sent to the other relevant ministries. Earlier, the preliminary decision to hand over the operation of the terminal and ground-handling services to the Japanese consortium had triggered criticism over several conditions proposed by the consortium. The proposed agreement has drawn particular attention over concessions reportedly offered by the government and restrictions that could affect the commercial operation of competing airports near the capital.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines extended the suspension of regular flights on the Dhaka-Riyadh-Dhaka route until November 30, citing the security situation following recent airstrikes in Saudi Arabia and concerns over passenger safety. In a press release issued on Wednesday, the national flag carrier said its previously announced decisions on Saudi Arabia-bound flights would remain in effect until November 30. Regular flights on the Dhaka-Riyadh-Dhaka route will remain suspended until then and will not resume until further notice, the release said.

However, flights on the Dhaka-Jeddah-Dhaka, Dhaka-Dammam-Dhaka and Dhaka-Madinah-Dhaka routes will continue according to the previously announced decisions and schedules. Biman has advised passengers to contact the nearest airline sales centre for updated information on tickets and travel arrangements. Biman initially suspended flights on both the Dhaka-Riyadh and Dhaka-Dammam routes until October 17 following attacks on Saudi airports. It subsequently extended the suspension, while later resuming Dammam services.