Tea workers in Kamalganj of Moulvibazar formed a human chain and held a protest rally demanding that their daily wage be increased to Tk 500, their land rights be ensured, and elections to the Tea Workers’ Union (B-77) be held without further delay.
The programme was held at around 10:30am on Saturday at the Upazila Chowmuhana intersection, organised by conscious students and young people from the tea gardens.
The rally was chaired by Mohan Rabidas, a leader of the Tea Students-Youth Council. Among others, Suman Rabidas, Rajib Baidya, Santosh Rabidas and Sarathi Murari Das spoke at the programme.
The speakers said it had become impossible for tea workers to support their families on their current wages amid rising prices of essential commodities. They said workers were facing various hardships as the cost of living had increased significantly, while their wages had not risen accordingly.
They called on the government to immediately implement their demand for a daily wage of Tk 500.
The speakers also demanded the cancellation of what they described as an unjustified 5% increment gazette, fixation of the daily wage at Tk 500, protection of tea workers’ land rights and the prompt holding of elections to the Tea Workers’ Union (B-77).
The protesters announced that they would continue their peaceful movement until their demands are met.
