Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury on Thursday told Parliament that the government will review and reset the minimum wage for tea workers in August as part of its commitment to ensuring their fair rights and improving their overall living standards.

Speaking on a private member's resolution moved by BNP MP from Moulvibazar-4 Md Showkatul Islam, the Minister said the government is attaching the highest priority to the sustainable development of the tea industry alongside protecting tea workers' legitimate rights, ensuring safe working conditions and improving their quality of life.

He said the minimum wage for tea workers is reviewed and revised at regular intervals through the Wage Board constituted with representatives of both employers and workers under the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006.

"The process will continue in the future as well," he said.

The Minister said wage determination is carried out in accordance with Section 141 of the Labour Act, taking into account several factors, including inflation, employers' financial capacity, production costs and the living standards of workers.

He said the government believes that ensuring the welfare of tea workers requires more than periodic wage increases.

"Improving their overall quality of life is equally important," he said.

Ariful said the government has been implementing a range of initiatives to improve housing facilities, ensure access to safe drinking water, strengthen healthcare services, expand educational opportunities for workers' children, enhance skills development and widen social safety net coverage for tea workers.

He said the government remains committed to ensuring the legitimate rights and a dignified life for tea workers.

Responding to the resolution, the Minister said the public interest and workers' welfare issues highlighted by the lawmaker would receive due importance and the government would continue taking practical measures to address them.

He also informed the House that the next review of tea workers' minimum wage is scheduled for August.

The Minister noted that wages in the tea sector are customarily revised every three years, with a 5 percent increase, and said the Wage Board would hold its meeting next month to consider the latest revision.

He assured Parliament that the government would closely monitor the process to ensure that tea workers receive their rightful entitlements.