Hotel, restaurant workers to begin nationwide strike from Jan 14

Hotel and restaurant workers have announced a nationwide strike from January 14, demanding implementation of the government-declared minimum wage gazette, issuance of appointment and identity cards, enforcement of an eight-hour workday and execution of all previously signed agreements.

The announcement was made at a press conference at the National Press Club on Monday, January 5, by Akhtaruzzaman Khan, convener of the council campaigning for implementation of the minimum wage and labour law in the hotel and restaurant sector.

He said workers were living in severe hardship amid soaring prices of essential goods. While owners regularly increased food prices, workers were denied minimum wages, appointment letters and identity cards. Despite provisions in the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006 for double wages beyond eight working hours, workers were being forced to work 12 to 13 hours a day.

He added that although several bilateral and tripartite agreements had been signed at different times involving the government, owners and workers, none had been implemented. The final minimum wage gazette for the sector was published on May 5 this year, but even after nearly eight months it had not been enforced in most establishments, an offence punishable under the Labour Ordinance 2025.

Akhtaruzzaman Khan said memorandums were submitted to relevant authorities on October 20 and December 18, followed by a tripartite meeting on December 24, but no effective action was taken. As frustration and anger grew among workers, a nationwide strike was announced from January 14 to realise their rightful demands.

He said the gazette gave legal force to the minimum wage, making its implementation the responsibility of the state and the government. Issuing appointment and identity cards and ensuring an eight-hour workday were legally recognised rights, yet these were being ignored. Even an agreement signed on March 9 with several establishments, including Star Group in Dhaka, had not been implemented.

Leaders from various labour organisations were present at the press conference.