Bangladesh Ranks Third In South Asia For Low Wages

Bangladesh ranks third in South Asia for low wages, following Sri Lanka and Bhutan, according to a report by the International Labour Organization (ILO). 

The report states that 11.2% of all workers in Bangladesh earn low wages. 

The ILO's Global Wage Report 2024-25 mentions that in Sri Lanka, 25.9% of workers receive low wages, while in Bhutan, this percentage is 13.8%. 

The report also highlights that Pakistan has the lowest proportion of low-wage workers in South Asia, with just 9.4%. India follows with 11.5%.

Additionally, the report notes that women make up a larger portion of low-wage workers globally, representing almost half of all low-wage workers. Migrant workers also constitute a significant part of the low-wage workforce.

It further states that, since 2000, wage inequality has reduced by nearly two-thirds across all countries. Most significantly, wage inequality has decreased in lower-income countries, while the reduction in wage inequality in wealthy countries has been slower.

The report also highlights that, recently, global wages have been rising faster than inflation. In 2023, global real wages increased by 1.8%, with a forecasted increase of 2.7% in 2024, the highest in over 15 years.

However, the ILO points out that wage growth has been uneven across regions. It says that advanced economies in the G20 have experienced a decline in real wages for two consecutive years, while emerging economies in the G20 have seen positive wage growth during the same period.

The ILO further mentions that there are significant variations in regional wage growth. Wages in the Asia-Pacific, Middle and Western Asia, and Eastern Europe have been growing at a faster rate compared to other regions.

ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo stated, "The growth of real wages is certainly good news. However, we must not forget that millions of workers and their families are struggling with the cost of living, which has reduced their standard of living. Wage inequality remains high in many countries."