RMG workers yesterday urged the government not to increase the gas price as it will create an extra burden on them in many ways.

"House owners will increase room rents further if the gas or electricity bill is raised. It'll be an extra burden for low-income people, especially the RMG workers," said general secretary of Bangladesh Progressive Garments Workers Federation Kamrun Nahar.

She said this at a human chain formed by RMG workers in front of the Jatiya Press Club.

Kamrun Nahar said the prices of various daily essentials have gone up with the hike in their wages. "If the gas or electricity price is hiked it'll be a huge burden for workers. So, we urge the government not to increase the gas price hike."

Earlier, the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commi-

ssion (BERC) declared an average price hike of 32.8 per cent for all users from July 1, the beginning of a new fiscal year.

 For customers who pay for gas by the cubic metre, the price will jump to Tk 12.60 per cubic metre from Tk 9.10 per cubic metre. The price of compressed natural gas (CNG), used to fuel vehicles, will also rise from today to Tk 43 per cubic metre from Tk 38 per cubic metre.