Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir on Tuesday said some 31 tea estates across the country are at “high-risk” due to labour unrest stemming from unpaid wages and other worker-related grievances.
He disclosed the information while responding to a question from BNP reserved seat lawmaker Selina Sultana during the question-and-answer session in Parliament.
The minister said a special report prepared by the National Security Intelligence (NSI) on labour unrest in tea estates, centred on wage arrears, has identified the 31 gardens as vulnerable.
He noted that Bangladesh currently has no policy framework for classifying tea gardens as “sick” or financially distressed, and therefore no tea estate has officially been designated as a sick garden.
However, Muktadir said the situation changed after August 5, 2024 when the owners of several tea estates reportedly abandoned their properties amid the changed political circumstances, leading to management disruptions.
In many cases, workers’ wages were not paid regularly, triggering unrest among labourers.
According to an NSI report dated May 18, 2025, the risky tea gardens include Tarapur, Premnagar, Bijoya, Patrakhola, Madhabpur, Madanmohanpur, Kurma, Champarai, Burjan, Chharagang, Kagagul, Gulni, Lovachhara, Lakkatura, Daldali, Keowachhara, Imam, Bawani, Noapara, Deundi, Lalchan, Chandichhara, Parkul, Satchhari, Phultala, Mathiura, Rajnagar, Azgarabad, Muraichhara, Mirtinga and Deorachhara tea gardens.
The minister outlined a series of measures undertaken by the Bangladesh Tea Board to address labour unrest and ensure wage payments.
He said separate committees were formed, with support from the Bangladesh Tea Board and the respective district administration, to restart the previously closed Burjan and Phultala tea estates and ensure payment of wages and other worker benefits.
Financial assistance was also provided from the Tea Board’s Labour Welfare Fund to clear outstanding wages, Muktadir added. “Operations at Burjan and Phultala tea gardens have now returned to normal.”
He further said special arrangements were made to export unsold tea stocks held by 12 gardens under the National Tea Company (NTC), enabling the payment of outstanding wages to workers.
The minister stressed that the government remains committed to safeguarding tea workers’ welfare. “In addition to wages, tea garden workers currently receive rations, free medical services, primary education, housing, safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, festival allowances, pension benefits, provident fund support, maternity leave and maternity allowances.”
He also said the government has begun distributing Family Cards to tea worker households. “Once all tea labour families come under the coverage, it is expected to play a significant role in improving living standards and welfare among tea workers.”
Referring to the latest notification issued by the Ministry of Land, Muktadir said there is currently no category designated as a “sick” or distressed tea garden in the country. As a result, the Bangladesh Tea Board has not been able to formally identify any tea estate under such a classification.