Sylhet, Nov 05 (V7N)— Tea production in the Sylhet region has been severely disrupted as a prolonged labor strike continues. Thousands of tea workers employed by the National Tea Company (NTC) have been on strike for 15 consecutive days, demanding the immediate payment of seven weeks' unpaid wages and 13 months of overdue Provident Fund (PF) contributions.

The strike has halted production across 12 factories managed by NTC, leading to extensive losses as tea leaves go unharvested and spoil in the fields, potentially impacting the region's annual production targets.

On Monday, November 4, hundreds of workers from the Lakkatura, Kewachra, and Daldali tea estates gathered in front of the Lakkatura tea estate to voice their frustrations. They expressed dismay over the management's silence, stating that no clear timeline or solution has been offered for clearing their dues. Workers noted that while they go unpaid, management personnel continue to receive their salaries, exacerbating the divide and fueling resentment among the labor force. Additionally, they highlighted that their PF contributions have not been submitted to the relevant authorities, raising concerns about the safeguarding of their benefits.

Despite multiple attempts to reach Emdadul Haque, General Manager of NTC, for comment, no response was received.

Sylhet, a hub for tea production in Bangladesh, is home to 136 of the country's 168 tea gardens, employing hundreds of thousands of workers. Tea production in the region dates back to 1854, when the first tea plantation was established in Malnichara. However, ongoing labor disputes and management challenges threaten to disrupt this vital industry, impacting both the workers' livelihoods and the national tea output.

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