Tea workers at four tea gardens in Habiganj began an indefinite strike on Tuesday pressing home a seven-point demand, including payment of outstanding wages, rations and festival bonuses.

The work stoppage began in the morning at the Deundi, Lalchand, Mrityinga and Noapara tea gardens in Chunarughat and Madhabpur upazilas.

Workers said around 5,000 labourers across the four gardens have been facing severe hardship due to irregular payment of weekly wages over the past several weeks.

They alleged that many families are struggling to survive as the management has failed to clear dues and ensure basic facilities.

According to workers, a tripartite meeting involving garden authorities, labour representatives and officials of the Labour Department was held in Srimangal on May 6. 

The meeting reportedly decided to clear all outstanding payments without delay.

The meeting also discussed repairing dilapidated workers’ housing ahead of the monsoon, ensuring medical facilities in line with labour laws, and clearing pending wages, rations, provident fund contributions and weekly payments.

However, workers said the decisions were not implemented, prompting labourers from the four gardens under the Deundi company to launch the strike.

Apon Santal, president of the Panchayat Committee of Deundi Tea Garden, said workers under the company have long been deprived of their dues and basic rights.

He alleged that despite repeated assurances from the management, no effective steps have been taken to resolve their problems.