2,500 tea workers agree to resume work

A total of 2,500 tea workers of four gardens under Burjan Tea Estate in Sylhet, who have been agitating to press home their demand for 20 weeks' arrears and rations, have agreed to return to work following assurances from the authorities.

The workers will be paid one week's salary and rations today. The workers said they will join work from Friday after receiving salary.

The decision was made at a meeting between the workers and Maj Gen Sheikh Md Sarwar Hossain, chairman of Bangladesh Tea Board, yesterday at the Sylhet DC office.

The tea companies and Bangladesh Tea Board will contribute Tk 10 lakh for the payments. The remaining amount will be arranged by Sylhet deputy commissioner. All their dues will be paid in phases, she added.

"For now, a solution has been reached. All tea workers will be paid one week's salary tomorrow [today]. The tea garden will be opened the day after tomorrow [Friday]. The next salary will be paid quickly by selling the leaves that will be picked. Everyone has accepted the decision and will return to work," said Sohag Chhatri, a worker of Kalagul Tea Garden.

Reports on the tea workers' protests published in The Daily Star brought the issue to the attention of government authorities, he added.

Earlier, tea workers from Burjan factory, and Burjan, Charagang, and Kalagul gardens held a road blockade on May 4 to press home their 11-point demands. Later, they set a three-day ultimatum to the authorities to fulfill their demands.