Bangladesh tea workers protest, demand 500 Taka daily wage

Workers at the Kaliti Tea Garden in Kulaura upazila, Moulvibazar, staged a one-hour work stoppage and held a protest rally and procession on Thursday morning. Their primary demand is for their daily wage to be increased to 500 Bangladeshi Taka (approximately $4.50 USD).

The demonstration, organized by the Tea Workers Trade Union Center, also voiced strong opposition to the recently gazetted 5 percent wage increase. Protesters are demanding land ownership rights for tea workers and the immediate holding of elections for the Tea Workers' Union (CBA).

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The current daily wage of Tk 187 was insufficient to meet basic needs and described the annual increase of only Tk 8 as "inhuman" and "a mockery" of tea workers.

The rally commenced around 9:00 AM, presided over by Anima Olmik, acting president of the Kaliti Tea Garden Panchayat Committee, and moderated by general secretary Krishnadas Olmik. Speakers at the event sharply criticized the latest wage adjustment, deeming it grossly inadequate given the escalating cost of living. They highlighted that the current daily wage of 187 Taka is insufficient for basic needs, describing the meager annual increase of only 8 Taka as both "inhuman" and a "mockery" of their labor.

Furthermore, the workers emphasized their long-standing demand for land ownership rights. Despite residing in the region for nearly two centuries, many tea workers remain landless, consequently being deprived of essential civic rights and services. Following the rally, the protesters marched along the main roads within the tea garden to further press their demands.

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They also demanded land ownership rights, arguing that although tea workers have lived in the region for nearly 200 years, many remain landless and continue to be deprived of basic civic rights and services.