Tea workers protest for wage hike
Tea workers in Srimangal staged a mass protest on Thursday, demanding the immediate implementation of a Tk 500 daily wage and free, fair elections to the Bangladesh Tea Workers Union, alleging interference by the Department of Labour.
More than a hundred workers from Tiprachara Tea Garden participated in the demonstration organised by general tea workers and student activists with the support of the Bangladesh Tea Workers Union Reform Committee in front of the garden’s dance hall in Srimangal upazila.
The protesters chanted slogans demanding the implementation of the Tk 500 daily wage, which they said had been raised in the National Parliament, and called for amendments to the union constitution to ensure transparent elections free from what they termed illegal interference by the Department of Labour.
Among those who addressed the rally were Bangladesh Tea Workers Union Reform Committee Convener Bishu Prasad Goala, Joint Convener Akash Doshad, Khejurichara Tea Garden Panchayat Committee President Maheshwar Das, and tea workers Brinda Tanti, Jhinuk Banerjee, Ripon Tantaba, Ranju Tati, Niranjan Das and Joy Kumar Pal.
After the rally, the protesters brought out a procession that marched through different parts of the tea garden before concluding peacefully.
Addressing the gathering, the speakers said tea workers had long been deprived of fair wages and basic facilities despite the tea industry’s significant contribution to the national economy.
“Our main demand is to raise the daily wage of tea workers to Tk 500 so that workers and their families can lead a dignified life,” they said.
The speakers also demanded free, fair, impartial and acceptable elections to the Bangladesh Tea Workers Union, saying workers must be allowed to elect their representatives without intimidation, undue influence or irregularities.”A strong and democratic union is essential to protecting the rights and interests of tea workers,” they said.
They added that the protest was peaceful and democratic and urged the authorities concerned to address the workers’ demands without delay by ensuring a fair wage structure and a transparent union election process.
