Sylhet, Nov 08, (V7N) - Tea workers in the Moulvibazar, Habiganj, and Sylhet districts of Bangladesh have been enduring extreme hardship for the past two months due to non-payment of wages and the suspension of their weekly rations. This ongoing crisis has also led to a halt in production at many tea estates. As of now, workers in seven tea gardens in Moulvibazar, four in Habiganj, and one in Sylhet are affected by the situation, and their lives have become unbearable.
 
According to Bijoy Hazra, Vice President of the Bangladesh Tea Workers Union, workers have been forced to continue working for over a month with empty stomachs. Faced with severe hunger, the workers went on strike starting from October 21, demanding the release of their wages. Since the strike, protests have intensified at various tea estates, as workers have become increasingly desperate.
 
The management of the tea estates had initially assured workers that their wage issues would be resolved in the 679th Board Meeting of the tea estate owners, scheduled for November 7. However, sources reveal that the meeting did not take place as planned, and there is no certainty about when it will be rescheduled. Consequently, workers remain without pay, and many families are now struggling to meet their basic needs. With no rice or flour at home, and the cooking stoves cold, many families are suffering from severe hunger.
 
The situation has now reached a critical point, with labor unrest spreading. As part of their protests, workers are planning a more aggressive action, including a siege of the DDL office in Srimangal. This will take place starting Thursday, as workers intensify their demand for justice and a resolution to their plight.
 
Bijoy Hazra voiced his frustration, pointing out that despite the widespread media coverage of their suffering, the government and relevant authorities have failed to take any concrete action. "We have been pleading for help, but nothing has been done. Our lives are in danger, and the government has shown no interest in resolving this crisis," he stated.
 
The workers have been vocal about their demands, which include immediate payment of their wages and the restoration of their weekly rations. According to Hazra, the government must act quickly to ensure that these basic needs are met. Failure to do so, he warns, could lead to further escalation and a more serious crisis for the tea industry in the region.
 
The workers' situation is not just a matter of wages; it is also a reflection of broader systemic issues in the tea sector. Workers, who have long been underpaid and undervalued, now face the risk of not being able to feed their families. Many of these workers are part of a marginalized group, and their livelihoods are heavily dependent on the tea estates that have been their homes for generations.
 
The government has yet to announce any plans to intervene in the situation, and the tea industry is bracing for more protests and possible disruptions to production. In the face of mounting discontent, the outcome of these protests could have far-reaching consequences, not only for the workers but also for the tea estates that depend on their labor.
 
The workers' demands are simple: the immediate payment of wages and a guarantee that such a crisis will never occur again. However, without a clear resolution in sight, the situation remains fraught with tension, and the workers' patience is running thin. If their demands are not met soon, the region could face a major labor strike that could severely impact the tea industry and its productivity.
 
As of now, the government and tea estate owners have yet to provide a definitive response to the workers' concerns. However, the workers' determination to press their demands suggests that the coming days could be crucial in determining the future of the tea industry in the region.
 
END/AZM/SMA/