The workers from 18 tea gardens operated by the state-run National Tea Company (NTC) continued their strike yesterday across Sylhet, Moulvibazar, and Habiganj for a seventh consecutive day, demanding payment of their overdue wages for the past six weeks.
The workers, who earn a daily wage of just Tk178, rallied at the Lakkatura tea garden and later blocked the Osmani Airport road in Sylhet’s Ambarkhana area. The blockade, lasting two hours, was lifted after workers issued a two-day ultimatum to NTC for payment of their overdue wages.
Bijoy Hazra, Central Organizing Secretary of the Bangladesh Tea Workers Union, reported that around 12,000 NTC workers are affected, with approximately Tk 9 crore in unpaid wages.
“These workers are enduring severe hardship due to six weeks of unpaid wages,” Hazra said. “They will not return to work unless they receive their outstanding dues.”Raju Goala, president of the Tea Workers Union in the Sylhet Valley, said “We have not received wages for one and a half months. Our families struggle to survive, and local shops have stopped providing us with food on credit.”
Sajib Munda, a worker from Sylhet’s Daldali tea garden, described the impact on workers’ daily lives. “Without wages, our families are on the brink. We’re forced to live off scraps,” he said, highlighting the immediate need for relief.
The protesting workers said they began demanding their wages before Durga Puja, which occurred earlier this month. Although bonuses were eventually provided under pressure, wages have still not been paid.
A memorandum detailing their demands was recently submitted to the Sylhet deputy commissioner, following which the district administration distributed 20 kg of rice to each worker’s family. However, no further assistance has been offered since then.
The situation escalated following the resignation of all National Tea Company directors after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, resulting in an administrative deadlock. With the resignation of key management figures, wage payments across NTC’s gardens have stalled, leaving thousands of tea workers without income.
Akhter Shahid, manager of the Lakkatura tea garden, expressed sympathy for the workers. “We are facing similar challenges as we also have not received salaries. However, I have heard that a solution is on the way,” he shared.
NTC’s General Manager mdadul Haque said that management changes have delayed processes, but he assured that the situation should stabilise soon.
“The new administration is working to resolve the issue, and we hope the outstanding wages will be cleared within a few days,” he added.
