Hundreds of tea workers took to the streets of Sylhet on Friday, demanding the immediate payment of unpaid wages and rations.
Organised by the Sylhet District branch of the Bangladesh Trade Union Centre, the protest march highlighted the dire financial and humanitarian crisis faced by thousands of workers from tea estates across the region.
Abul Kalam Azad, acting president of the Sylhet District Trade Union Centre, presided over the rally.
Speakers urged the government and tea estate authorities to swiftly address the crisis and ensure the basic rights of tea workers. "Our struggle is not merely for wages; it's for survival and dignity," a labour leader declared.
The march, which began at 2:00 pm from Keane Bridge premises and proceeded through Zindabazar, called for urgent government intervention to alleviate the plight of approximately 12,000 workers from 12 tea estates managed by the National Tea Company (NTC).
Workers alleged that they have been deprived of wages and rations for nearly three months, pushing their families to the brink of desperation. Despite submitting memorandums to the government and staging a 26-day continuous strike, they claim no action has been taken.
Protesters warned that over 40,000-50,000 individuals, including tea workers and their families, are now facing starvation.
"At a time when living costs are soaring, we are denied even the meager daily wage of Tk 178.50. How can we survive?" one protester questioned.
The demonstrators also criticised the broader neglect of the tea industry, highlighting issues such as wage delays, irregular rations, and non-payment of provident fund contributions in both government and privately-owned tea estates. They further accused estate owners of exploiting workers through discriminatory wage practices and unfair distribution of festival bonuses.
The workers demanded immediate implementation of a fair minimum wage structure for 2023-24, aligned with current market conditions, as well as regular payment of wages and rations. Other demands included full rations for families, land rights, democratic labor laws, and the resolution of disparities in casual and earned leave entitlements.
Key labour leaders, including Harinarayan Hazra, general secretary of the Moulvibazar Tea Workers Union, and other union representatives, also addressed the rally.
The protest concluded with a call for unity among workers and a pledge to continue their movement until their demands are met.