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Although the tea industry in Bangladesh has made significant advancements, tea plantation workers continue to be underpaid – a challenge that remains overlooked by the industry and the government, experts said at a dialogue on Wednesday.
They also said that all stakeholders had to step forward to improve the living standard of the tea plantation workers from the perspectives of the implementation of SDGs in Bangladesh, according to a press release.
These issues were discussed at “Why are the Tea Plantation Workers Left Behind in Bangladesh?” hosted by the Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh, in partnership with Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) and Nagorik Uddyog.
The dialogue brought in several tea plantation workers from Moulvibazar and Sylhet and representatives from other stakeholder groups, including Tea Board officials, tea garden owners, officials and exporters, and international development partners.
Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, convenor of the Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh and distinguished fellow, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), highlighted the fact that although a guiding principle of the global agenda was that no one should be left behind, tea workers were one of the most backward communities in Bangladesh.
Md Abdus Shahid, MP, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on estimates and a member of the parliamentary standing committee on Ministry of Finance, said that everyone should come forward to face the challenges of the LDC transition, and the tea workers should come forward enthusiastically to claim their rights for the country’s overall development.
The Tea Workers Union is the largest union in Bangladesh which has been working to alleviate the plight of workers, said Hafiz Ahmed Majumder, MP, member, parliamentary standing committee of the Ministry of Public Administration.
He also said that the tea workers should not isolate themselves. They should come forward and involve themselves more in the field of education and culture.
Gwyn Lewis, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, said: “We should look at the development issues of tea plantation workers from the historical marginalization perspectives and address the structural and market challenges. We will need the government’s engagement on this and also make sure that the market can work to help the industry grow.”
Zakir Hossain, chief executive, Nagorik Uddyog, highlighted the point that despite having quota privileges, the tea workers fail to join the system because they do not have sufficient opportunities to fulfill the admission or employment criteria.
According to statistics, about 74% of tea plantation workers are below the poverty line, he added.
Tuomo Poutiainen, country director, ILO Bangladesh, said there had been solid negotiations between the trade unions and the employers to find solutions together over the years.
Razequzzaman Ratan, president, Socialist Labour Front, mentioned that although the price of tea has increased in the market, the price of tea in the auction is still very low.
To control this inequality, the state should take upon the duty to set wages, and the employers should take upon the responsibility to strictly follow them, he added.
Khairun Akhtar, president, Bangladesh Cha Kanya Nari Sangthan, mentioned that raising wages for the tea workers would not be helpful if the high increase in the price of goods is not adjusted.
A tea worker’s son,who was present at the dialogue, said that tea plantation workers are still considered slaves, and the owners consider themselves masters, due to which the workers cannot get out of bonded of slavery.
He demanded that the dividends of the tea companies should be given to the workers.
Not only the owners but also the state has the responsibility to protect the rights of the tea workers, said Prof Mustafizur Rahman, distinguished fellow at the CPD.
The impact of the global climate on tea plantations and the effectiveness of related policies should be investigated, he also said.
(DT)
