Workers in Moulvibazar’s Kulaura protest tea garden closed indefinitely

Workers of Luhaiuni Tea Garden in Kulaura upazila of Moulvibazar staged protest yesterday with 11-point demand, including reinstatement of a worker.

Yesterday morning, the owner closed the tea garden indefinitely. Inside the garden, angry workers gathered to protest the decision, reports our Moulvibazar correspondent.

Shyamal Pachi said, on May 20, Assistant Manager Nazrul and Gatekeeper Sadhu cut down a tree that he planted inside the garden -- without any notice. When he protested, he was terminated from his job on May 22, under Section 26 (Ka) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, Pachi claimed.

The section allows the authorities to terminate a worker without showing any reason.

Since May 22, the workers were protesting the termination and demanded immediate reinstatement of Pachi, reports our Moulvibazar correspondent. 

As the workers took a stand in front of the office on June 22 morning and threatened to go for a strike, the authorities called police in the garden and issued a notice, declaring suspension of work indefinitely, said Ajit Kairi, president of the tea garden panchayat committee.

Ajit said, workers wanted to return to work later that day, around noon, but they were told that work has been suspended by the general manager (GM).

At that time, a 13-member delegation led by Satya Narayan, a Union Parishad member, met the garden's GM, Mabud Ali.

While talking to reporters, Mabud alleged that Pachi tried to attack the assistant general manager with sharp weapon after an altercation on May 20.   

Kulaura Police Station Sub-inspector, Habibur Rahman said, police have been engaged in maintaining law and order since 8:00am yesterday. The workers are peacefully carrying out their protest and the situation is normal.