Bangladesh garment factory owners will negotiate with the government for benefits like cash incentives or tax waivers to tackle rise in workers’ wages and have also suggested adjusting salaries in line with inflation instead of forming annual wage boards, said Siddiqur Rahman, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

Rahman was addressing an emergency general meeting of the association on the wage board.

But the moment now is not favourable for them as the national parliamentary election is close, Bangladesh media reports quoted him as saying.

Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, criticised some intellectuals who backed a salary hike.

If salary has to be increased, the government will have to reduce tax and increase incentives, he said.