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Why are the tea workers on strike?

Why are the tea workers on strike?

by | Aug 14, 2022 | Newspaper Report

 By Philip Gain, The Daily Star, Aug 14, 2022
Tea workers are among the most marginalised, excluded and poor of Bangladesh. PHOTO: Sanjay Kairi

There was agitation in 158 tea gardens in Sylhet and Chattogram divisions during the tea-leaf-plucking season when the tea workers began a two-hour strike from August 9-12. On August 13, they went on a full-day strike. Bangladesh Cha Sramik Union (BCSU), the only trade union of around 100,000 tea garden workers, is organising the strike.

The key message of the tea workers and their union to the owners is that they are fed up with the owners’ position regarding their wages. Currently, a tea worker gets a daily wage of Tk 120. BCSU is demanding a daily cash pay of Tk 300, which is impossible given the current trend of pay rise.

The BCSU, the combined bargaining agent (CBA) for the tea workers, and Bangladesh Tea Association (BTA), tea garden owners’ representative body, sign an agreement every two years determining the wages and other benefits of the tea workers. In negotiations between these two parties, BTA is always the winner, and BCSU the loser.

An agreement between the BCSU and BTA was last signed on February 25, 2021, fixing the daily cash pay to Tk 120 for “A” class tea gardens, Tk 118 for “B” class gardens and Tk 117 for “C” class tea gardens. These wages were effective from January 1, 2019 to December 30, 2020, which means the agreement was signed post factum.

Generally, the agreements are not signed in time and the workers get their additional pay in arrears. But since the last agreement period expired in December 2020, more than 19 months have passed without an agreement and increase in wages.

In the meantime, the government had set up a Minimum Wage Board (for the third time for the tea workers) in the second half of 2019 to fix tea workers’ wages. In the six-member board, Rambhajan Kairi represented the tea workers and demanded a daily cash pay of Tk 300. But to the disappointment of the workers, the wage board sent its recommendation to the labour ministry in June 2021, keeping the daily cash pay unchanged and curtailing some benefits that the tea workers had traditionally been receiving.

The labour ministry thankfully sent the recommendations back to the wage board for reconsideration. A meeting on November 17, 2021 chaired by the state minister of the labour ministry with the members of the Minimum Wage Board, BTA and BCSU was organised to find a solution to the stalemate. The labour ministry reportedly issued some guidelines to the wage board. But again, to the surprise of the tea workers, the wage board maintained its position in keeping the wages of tea workers at Tk 120 per day.

In the meantime, the chairman of the wage board has been replaced. A responsible source in the Minimum Wage Board has confirmed that in the last meeting, held on June 30, 2022, the board finalised its recommendations and sent them to the labour ministry. Rambhajan Kairi neither attended the meeting on June 30, nor did he approve the recommendations. “The recommendations were foretold,” says Kairi, “And it is stuck at Tk 120, which is unacceptable to the tea workers.”

Now it is to be seen when the labour ministry sends the recommendations to the law ministry, and when the wage structure of the tea workers is announced through gazette notification.

While all these have been going on, the BCSU has also been negotiating with the BTA for the last 19 months without making any headway. It is puzzling why two processes need to run at the same time. While the Minimum Wage Board fixes wages for five years, the BCSU and BTA sign an agreement every two years. The Minimum Wage Board took an unusually long time to develop its recommendations. Leaders of the BCSU allege that the BTA also did the same and pushed them to the edge. What we know from the leaders of BCSU is that the BTA proposed an increase of Tk 14 on top of Tk 120!

This is absurd for understandable reasons. Wages are not this low in the tea industry anywhere in the world. The same Minimum Wage Board has fixed the daily lowest (sixth grade) wage of Tk 620 in the wood sector in the rural areas and Tk 680 in the urban areas – one of the lowest paid sectors outside the tea garden sector fixed by the Minimum Wage Board.

The BCSU, in a letter addressed to the chairman of BTA (dated August 3, 2022), briefly narrated its grievances about their long negotiation resulting in a “shameful” proposal from the owners. According to the letter signed by the president, vice-president and acting general secretary of BCSU, the BTA representative communicated their intention to increase the wages by Tk 14 through a mobile message. Enraged, the BCSU decided to go for a strike in seven working days from August 3.

The BTA remained silent about the warning. What followed is unprecedented in the recent history of tea gardens. BCSU leaders reported that they expected the owners to respond to their demands and communicate a solution with them. But the BTA maintained its silence until August 14.

However, the Department of Labour office in Sreemangal and the director general (DG) of Department of Labour under the labour ministry have reacted. In a letter dated August 12, 2022, the DG sent a warning that “such strikes contravene the labour law.”

The BCSU considers such warning from the government authorities as support for the tea garden owners that include state-owned National Tea Company and Bangladesh Tea Board under the commerce ministry that own 17 tea gardens. But this time, the BCSU is adamant not to easily back out. They went for a full-day strike on August 13, assembling at different points including in the Sreemangal town, in defiance of the law enforcement authorities.

In a meeting on August 13, the central leaders of BCSU announced its next programme. On August 14 (Sunday and weekly holiday in almost all tea gardens) and August 15 (national holiday), they would continue to assemble at different locations throughout the tea growing areas to show their disappointment with the owners. If the BCSU does not a get a response from the BTA, it is determined to continue the strike.

Tea workers are among the most marginalised, excluded and poor of Bangladesh. The biggest problem they face is wage deprivation. Needless to say, a worker’s family income is far below the poverty level income, causing further deprivation for them. This time they have seen how the owners have hijacked the Minimum Wage Board and kept their future hanging in the balance. All these are happening at a time when tea production has reached its peak and there is no evidence that tea is a losing enterprise.

It is the responsibility of the government to establish rules of fair trade in the tea sector, and ensure justice and protection for tea workers, who are the most important asset for the country’s tea industry.

Philip Gain is a researcher and director at the Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD).

The National Tea Day Celebrated

The National Tea Day Celebrated

by | Aug 4, 2022 | Events, Marginalized Communities, News & Updates

The National Tea Day Celebrated

The National Tea Day was celebrated for the second time on 4 June 2022 at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka. Last year the day was celebrated also at the same place. Last year no leader from Bangladesh Cha Sramik Union (BCSU), let alone any tea worker, was seen at the celebration venue. This time central leaders of BCSU—Nripen Paul, Pankoj Konda and Paresh Kalindi—were present at the celebration. A few women (4-5), probably tea workers, were seen seated in a row.

    I was taken aback when honorary and greetings crests were handed down to some 20 to 25 tea gardens, government agencies and the guests. But BCSU was not on the list. Was it a mistake of the organizing bodies—Bangladesh Tea Board (BTB) and Ministry of Commerce? Or the organizers simply ignored the contribution of the tea workers? Are the representatives of tea workers so abhorrent towards them that they are not worthy of sharing the podium with other respectable guests? Is it that tea workers are only to work in the field? The leaders of BCSU had smiling faces. They probably thought about this with pain in heart. If not, they should. BCSU is the largest workers’ union of Bangladesh. But how much strength it has gained is a matter of scrutiny.

     Like the last year the officials of state agencies and others spoke with broad smiles in their faces that the tea industry is expanding. People are drinking almost the entire tea produced domestically. However, I probably heard the minister and secretary of Ministry of Commerce saying that it is true the production cost of tea has gone up, but at the same time the prices of tea has increased. This he said in response to the owners’ assertion that the production cost is increasingly going up. Both the tea garden owners and the government overtly want well-being of the tea workers. But is it so in reality? No one from the workers’ side had an opportunity to speak. Therefore, most speeches were one-sided. I expect the tea workers’ leaders present will come up with some responses.

দ্বিতীয়বারের মতো জাতীয় চা দিবস পালিত হলো

৪ জুন ২০২২ পালিত হলো দ্বিতীয়বারের মতো জাতীয় চা দিবস। স্থান ঢাকায় ওসমানী স্মৃতি মিলনায়তন। গত বছর একই দিনে একই জায়গায় পালিত হয়েছিল প্রথম জাতীয় চা দিবস। প্রথম জাতীয় চা দিবসে চা বাগানের চা শ্রমিক তো দূরের কথা বাংলাদেশ চা শ্রমিক ইউনিয়নেরও কেউ উপস্থিত ছিলেন না। এবার বাংলাদেশ চা শ্রমিক ইউনিয়নের নৃপেন পাল, পঙ্কজ কন্দ এবং পরেশ গ উপাস্থিত ছিলেন। মনে হলো চা বাগানের চার-পাঁচ জন নারীকে বসানো হলো একটি সারিতে।

তবে  বিস্মিত হলাম যখন দেখলাম বিশ-পঁচিশটি বাগান, সংস্থা এবং আমন্ত্রিত অতিথিরা সম্মাননা স্মারক ও শুভেচ্ছা স্মারক পেলেন কিন্তু এদের মধ্যে চা শ্রমিকের প্রতিনিধিত্বকারী বাংলাদেশ চা শ্রমিক ইউনিয়ন নেই। এটা কি আয়োজক প্রতিষ্ঠান বাংলাদেশ চা বোর্ড এবং বাণিজ্য মন্ত্রণালয়ের কোনো ভুল? নাকি চা শ্রমিকদেরকে নিতান্তই অগ্রাহ্য করা হলো? বা শ্রমিকদের প্রতিনিধিরা কি এতোই অপাংক্তেয় ও অস্পৃশ্য যে তারা অন্যদের সাথে মঞ্চে উঠতে পারবেন না? বা তারা কোনও সম্মাননা পাবার যজ্ঞই না? তারা শুধু কাজই  করে যাবেন! চা শ্রমিক নেতাদের হাসিখুশীই দেখলাম। তবে তারা হয়তো বিষয়টি নিয়ে ভাবছেন। না ভেবে থাকলে ভাবতে বলবো। বাংলাদেশ চা শ্রমিক ইউনিয়ন বাংলাদেশের সবচেয়ে বড় শ্রমিক ইউনিয়ন। তবে ইউনিয়ন হিসাবে এটি কতটুকু শক্তি অর্জন করতে পেরেছে তা নিরীক্ষার বিষয় বটে।

আগেরবারের মতো এবারও সবার মুখে একই কথা, চা শিল্প বড় হচ্ছে। সরকারি বড় কাউকে বলতে শুনলাম চায়ের উৎপাদন ব্যয় বেড়েছে সত্যি, তবে সাথে চায়ের মূল্যও বেড়েছে। মালিক ও সরকার পক্ষ উভয়ই চা  শ্রমিকের কল্যাণ চায়। তবে বাস্তবে কি সত্যি সত্যিই শ্রমিকের কল্যাণ হচ্ছে? শ্রমিকের পক্ষে কেউ কথা বলার সুযোগ পাননি। কাজেই সব  বক্তব্যই  একপেশে। শ্রমিক নেতাদের যারা উপস্থিত ছিলেন তারা এর জবাব দিবেন বলে আশা করি।

চা দিবসে ফিলিপ গাইন-এর লেখা
চা স্রামিকের ন্যায্য মজুরির প্রশ্ন
Link: https://bonikbarta.net/home/news_description/301908

 

Brattyajan Resource Centre

Brattyajan Resource Centre

by | Jul 30, 2022 | Marginalized Communities, News & Updates

Brattyajan is a Bangla word (Brattaya meaning devotee + jan meaning people) that well defines the excluded and marginalized groups and communities of Bangladesh. From ancient times (Vedic age), the word means people who are devout, honest, simple and peace-loving. When we get close to the indigenous communities and all other marginalized and excluded groups we see they are simple, honest, religious, devout, craftsmen and peace-loving. However, they have fallen behind and they are generally poorer than others, facing human rights abuses and do not get respect they deserve, largely because of their simplicity, honesty, humbleness, minority status, ethnic identities, casteism, occupations considered to be low and lower level of education than the majority community. They are generally considered ‘others’ by the majority community, pushed to the edge and it is hard for them to migrate out of their current status.

Brattyajan Resource Centre (BRC) has been initiated through the project, “Promoting human rights of marginalized groups in Bangladesh through Brattyajan Resource Centre” funded by MISEREOR and Caritas France that are committed to promoting social justice, human rights and sound environment.

There are hundreds of government and non-government organizations that provide services to the marginalized and excluded communities. Yet, many of these groups remain invisible because of dearth of information. The ultimate goal of BRC is to contribute concretely to the protection of the marginalized and excluded communities and work unitedly with all stakeholders to assist them become equal and dignified citizens of the country.

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Include them in govt census

Include them in govt census

by | Jun 29, 2022 | Press Reports

Include them in govt census

Say speakers on under-represented minorities

Staff Correspondent

Various under-represented minorities of the country have been facing discrimination and marginalisation. Due to lack of government census data on them and proper recognition, these people, most of whom are ultra-poor, are now in crisis.

Speakers expressed this concern yesterday in the launching ceremony of Brattyajan Resource Centre (BRC), a centre dedicated to conduct research on exclusion and marginalisation challenges in Bangladesh.

On the same day, BRC and Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD) published 11 books and monographs on Bangladesh’s marginalised communities.

Phillip Gain, director of SEHD, said, “Monthly salary of a cleaner from the Harijan community is only Tk 550 in Sreemangal municipality. They are not even allowed to dine in the nearby restaurants.”

Gain said the government does not have reliable data on marginalised groups. Eminent economist Prof Wahiduddin Mahmud said compared to neighbouring countries, income inequality is comparatively low in Bangladesh. However, this fact is not applicable for minorities.

“Even our development policies and plans do not include these communities. As a result, sometimes what we consider as development projects, turn out to be a threat to their survival,” he said.

Lilly Nicholls, high commissioner of Canada to Bangladesh; Prof Tanzimuddin Khan of international relations department at DU; Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, executive chairperson, Power and Participation Research Centre; activist Khushi Kabir; and Jeremy Opritesco, deputy head of diplomatic mission, EU Delegation, were also present.

News Link: thedailystar.net

SDG not achievable excluding marginalised people: discussion

SDG not achievable excluding marginalised people: discussion

by | May 29, 2022 | Press Reports

SDG not achievable excluding marginalised people: discussion

Speakers, including rights activists, academics, economists, diplomats and ethnic minority group leaders on Saturday said that the Sustainable Development Goals could not be achieved by leaving a person behind as the country was looking forward to achieving UN-sponsored goals by 2030.

They made the observation at a discussion held at the CIRDAP auditorium marking the launch of Brattyajan Resource Centre, a non-government organisation that promised to work for marginalised people.

Non-government organisations the Society for Environment and Human Development, and the Power and Participation Research Centre jointly organised the event.

Chairing the event, former caretaker government adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman said that the SDG could not be achieved leaving even a person behind in the development process.

‘The marginalised people have the capacity and all they need is support from the government and the society,’ he said.

Renowned economist Wahiduddin Mahmud said that poverty eradication moves could not be successful without giving attention to the marginalised communities.

‘All stakeholders of the country should be included in the country’s development process. Official sources of information are important to maintain the correct census of the marginalised groups,’ he said attending the event as chief guest.

Speaking as the special guest, Jeremy Opritesco, deputy head of mission, the delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh, hailed Bangladesh for making commendable progress in human development.

‘EU always fights against discrimination,’ he said, adding that it would continue its support to Bangladesh authorities and non-government organisations to establish the rights of marginalised people.

SHED director Philip Gain presented the keynote paper at the programme.

‘We have several confusions over the number of different ethnic minorities, tea garden workers, sex workers, Harijans and others issues. The government formed a list of the ethnic minority groups on March 19, 2019, where 50 ethnic minority groups made the list,’ he said.

He said that they would work to find the actual number of ethnic minority groups and marginalised people in the society along with advocacy works to improve their lives.

‘A cleaner of Harijan community in Sreemangal municipality receives Tk 550 monthly payment and they are not allowed to take food at restaurants,’ he said.

He added that a tea garden worker also received Tk 120 per day.

Stressing the need for a census of marginalised and ethnic communities, former information commissioner Golam Rahman said, ‘We need to understand the real potential of information. We want to forget the discrimination.’

Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Lilly Nicholls said that she came to know about the plights of marginalised people in society in terms of their ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation through the session.

‘I had no idea about the struggle that you faced,’ she added. 

Chattogram Hill Tracts human rights activist Zuam Lian Amlai, Joyenshahi, Adibashi Unnyan Parishad president Eugrin Norkek, Sex Workers Network president Alyea Akhter Lily, Sachetan Samajseba Hijra Sangha president Ivan Ahmed Katha among others spoke at the programme.

They described how marginalised people were facing discrimination in society in acquiring land, education and for their basic rights. The programme also featured the launching of books based on different ethnic and marginalised groups in society.

The books are titled State of the Excluded and Marginalised Communities: Reports, analyses and insights on exclusion challenges in Bangladesh, Bede: A Nomadic Existence, Rishis of Khulna, Sex Workers and Brothels in Bangladesh, Kaiputra: A Pig Rearing Community, Harijans of Bangladesh, Jaladas: A Seafaring Fishing Community, Bihari Community: Living in Camps, Taking Material and Module, Taking Side with Smaller Ethnic Communities and the Marginalised: Clarity of Thoughts and Code of Conduct.

Dhaka University international relations department professor Tanzimuddin Ahmed gave the welcome speech while Nijera Kori coordinator Khushi Kabir also spoke.

The programme was followed by a cultural event.    

Staff Correspondent | Published: 00:10, May 29,2022

News Link: newagebd.net