Faruk Mahmud, Chunarughat (Habiganj)

Tea estate workers across four major plantations in Habiganj district launched an indefinite strike today to press home their seven-point charter of demands, which includes the immediate clearance of outstanding weekly wages, food rations, and festival bonuses.

The structural work stoppage commenced on Monday morning, completely halting operational activities at the Deundi, Lalchand, and Mritinga tea gardens in Chunarughat Upazila, as well as the Noapara tea garden in Madhabpur Upazila.

According to striking laborers, management has failed to disburse their weekly wages for several consecutive weeks. This systemic delay has pushed approximately 5,000 tea plantation workers into extreme financial distress, leaving their families facing severe food insecurity and sub-human living conditions. The prolonged non-payment has sparked deep resentment and anxiety across the valley, particularly due to growing uncertainty surrounding the disbursement of pending festival bonuses and mandatory statutory benefits.

The industrial action follows a breach of a formal tripartite agreement reached on May 6 during a conciliation meeting at the Divisional Labour Department in Sreemangal. Attended by plantation owners, tea labor union leaders, and Department of Labour officials, the meeting concluded with a binding directive for the immediate clearance of all outstanding dues. The management had also committed to repairing dilapidated staff quarters before the monsoon rains, providing standard medical facilities in compliance with the Bangladesh Labour Act, and streamlining Provident Fund deposits along with regular rations. However, the Deundi Tea Company authorities failed to implement the resolutions, prompting the workforce to strike.

Instead of reporting to the fields or processing factories, hundreds of workers gathered at the local Natya Mandir (community pavilions) to stage peaceful sit-ins.

Detailing the grievances, Apon Santal, President of the Deundi Tea Garden Panchayat Committee, stated that the workforce under the Deundi Company has faced systematic negligence for years. "Since 2022, the management has offered nothing but empty promises to resolve our structural issues. They have even violated the official minutes of the Sreemangal tripartite meeting held earlier this month.