Sylhet, Oct 23 (V7N) – Tea workers employed by the state-owned National Tea Company (NTC) in Sylhet have initiated an indefinite work stoppage over five weeks of unpaid wages. Workers from 16 tea gardens, including the Lakkatura garden, began their strike at 11 AM on Tuesday, October 21.

The strike, supported by the Bangladesh Tea Workers Union, has left around 17,000 tea workers across the country without pay, with an additional 30,000 people dependent on these workers for their livelihood. Many workers, already struggling to make ends meet, have vowed not to return to work until they receive their overdue wages.

Krishnalal Deshwara, President of the Bagan Panchayat Committee of Padmachara Tea Garden in Kamalganj, Moulvibazar, expressed the severity of the situation, stating, "Our workers do not have food in their homes. They are struggling a lot. How will the workers work with hunger?"

Acting General Secretary of the Bangladesh Tea Workers Union, Nipen Pal, affirmed the union's support for the workers' protest, emphasizing that their struggle for wages is justified.

In response, National Tea Company General Manager Emdadul Haque stated that efforts are underway to resolve the situation. However, he acknowledged that delays in restructuring NTC’s board of directors have hindered their ability to secure loans from the Bangladesh Agricultural Bank, which has led to difficulties in wage payments. Haque expressed hope that the board will soon be fully formed, allowing the company to clear the outstanding wages.

The workers remain firm in their stance, as the strike continues to impact operations across the 16 gardens under NTC.

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