Govt working to meet just demands of tea workers: labour adviser

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Labour and Employment Adviser Brigadier General (retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hussain today said the interim government is working to fulfill the just demands of tea workers and for the overall development of the tea industry. He made the remark while speaking at a view-exchange meeting on the development and welfare of the tea industry at the Ministry of Labour and Employment here.

Dr Sakhawat said the government is working positively on the election of tea workers, their wage rise, introduction of ration, development of housing system, payment of education expenses of the children of tea workers, increase in medical facilities and establishment of specialised hospitals for them.

He said effective steps will be taken to ensure payment of bonuses to tea workers before the upcoming Durga Puja.  He also directed the Chattogram and Sylhet divisional commissioners to provide improved sanitation and drinking water for women tea workers.

Asked about the tea workers’ trade union election, the labour adviser said a committee will be formed under the supervision of the divisional labour department and the election will be held by December.

He said an inter-ministerial meeting will be organised soon with representatives of the ministries of finance, commerce, industry, land and other relevant banks, including Bangladesh Bank and Krishi Bank, to meet the reasonable demands of the tea workers.

In addition, Dr Sakhawat said, tripartite discussions will also be arranged with representatives of tea workers and owners to resolve the problems of this sector.

Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment Dr Md Sanwar Jahan Bhuiyan, leaders of the tea association, divisional commissioners of Chattogram and Sylhet divisions, chairman of the tea board and senior officials of different ministries were present at the meeting.