Tea workers observe strike for wages

About 400 workers of a tea garden along with their families have been continuing their programmes, demanding due wages and rations, for around 15 weeks.

Workers of Baikunthapur Tea Garden observed a strike yesterday and held a massive rally near the Habiganj deputy commissioner's (DC) office. They submitted a memorandum to the DC, demanding payment of their due wages and rations.

Nripen Paul, general secretary of Bangladesh Tea Labour Union, Lashkarpur valley unit, also threatened that workers from all the 23 tea gardens in Habiganj will go on an indefinite strike and block the highways if the demand is not fulfilled by August 17.

Mohendra Bhumij, an organiser of the programme, said, "Many family members of workers don't have jobs on the tea estate, and we have not been getting our wages. Without wages, it will be impossible for workers and their families to survive."

Gourango Patro, president of Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, Sylhet Divisional unit, said "We have not been getting wages for 15 weeks. What type of justice is this? "

Prodip Kumar Mukharjee, managing director of the garden, didn't receive any phone calls.