Tea workers protest against unpaid wages, rations in Sylhet

Jyotsna Begum began working at Sylhet’s Burjan Tea Estate with a daily wage of Tk 6 and has continued for over four decades.

Over time, her salary and ration have increased, but in her 60 years of life, her salary has never been withheld for 14 consecutive weeks.

Now, at the end of her working life, she is forced to protest for her unpaid wages just before Eid. She says, “With my salary withheld during Ramadan, I cannot eat Iftar properly. I have been surviving on raw vegetables, but even those are becoming scarce.

“If I don’t get my salary, I can’t buy clothes for my children. What’s the use of wages and bonuses after Eid?

“I had no choice but to come here. If we must suffer, end it all at once. I can’t survive on just water anymore.”

Workers of Burjan, Charagang and Kalagul factories under Burjan Tea Estate in Sylhet staged a protest march demanding 14 weeks of arrears and rations.

The procession began at Lakkatura around 11am on Monday and continued for two hours outside the Sylhet district commissioner's office in Bandar Bazar.

The workers said they are going without food due to unpaid salaries and rations.

Under Burjan Tea Estate, wages, rations, and bonuses for 2,500 workers remain unpaid. It is unclear when the owners will pay the wages.

During the protest, Sylhet Additional District Commissioner (General) Anwar Uj Jaman appeared before the workers at around 2pm, assuring them food assistance would be provided on Thursday.

He said, “The issue of arrears of the workers’ salaries and rations will be resolved after Eid.”

Burjan Tea Estate Factory Manager Md Qumruzzaman said, “The Tea Board held a meeting with tea garden representatives facing issues. They will recommend the Krishi Bank to provide us with a loan.”

Earlier, he said the gardens are operating at a loss due to low tea leaf prices. Salaries have not only been withheld for workers but also for plantation officials and employees.