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The data indicates a worsening poverty situation as many citizens are being compelled to cut consumption amid falling real income and the rising cost of living, according to Bangladeshi media reports.
BBS’ March wage rate index (WRI) data shows workers in industry, construction and production were victims of high inflation as their income growth fell compared to the previous month.
Wages of low and unskilled workers grew by 7.18 per cent—2.15 percentage points below the inflation rate of 9.33 per cent that month, WRI data show.
Wages of workers across 44 occupations in agriculture, industry and services grew by 7.11 per cent in February against a consumer price hike of 8.78 per cent.
Planning minister MA Mannan recently announced hikes in inflation and wage rates. "The rise in the wage rate might give a little relief to people from the inflation," he said.
Some experts, however, feel the marginal rise in real wages will not offer relief to poor or low-income citizens.
A recent survey by non-profit research organisation SANEM on lower-income groups with a sample of 1,600 households across eight divisions found more than 96 per cent of the people reduced their meat consumption in the last six months.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)