Kick-off workshop

by admin | Jul 18, 2025 | News & Updates

Protecting the forest communities from drastic forest loss, plantation economy, climate change and landgrab
Date: 20 July 2025 | Venue: CIRDAP Auditorium, 17 Topkhana Road, Dhaka-1000

Discrimination Marginalized and Excluded Communities Face and their Reform Agenda

by admin | Jul 17, 2025 | News & Updates

Dedicated to Bangladesh’s marginalized and excluded communities, a long-cherished national entity, Brattyajan Resource Centre (BRC), was officially launched on 28 May 2022. At the end of the three-year project phase, a final workshop celebrating solidarity and partnership with marginalized groups was organized on 23 November 2024 at CIRDAP, Dhaka. Eight new publications were launched at the event piggybacked with discussion and an information fair on the marginalized communities of Bangladesh. The event was organized by Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD), BRC and Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC).

The dignitaries are showing the books launched at a national workshop. (from lfet) Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua, Prof. Zakir Hossain Raju, Prof. Syed M Hashemi, Philip Gain, Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, Prof. Rehman Sobhan (chief guest), Prof. Rounaq Jahan, and Joya Tripura. Photo: Prosad Sarker.

A strong message aired at the event was that discrimination should end in all forms. At least 130 representatives from all ten beneficiary groups of BRC, human rights defenders, community-based organizations, civil society organizations, economists, trade union leaders, academia, and journalists joined the day-long event.

The organizers of the event welcomed the audience with a message that communities with different vulnerabilities should not be seen as victims. They have many potentials, strengths, diverse cultures and languages.

In his welcome note, Prof. Zakir Hossain Raju, head of the department of Media and Communication, Independent University, Bangladesh, and Executive Committee member, SEHD shared his concerns over the exclusion of marginalized people at the policy-level discussions. “The presence of marginalized communities is not seen with apt attention in the policy-making sphere in Bangladesh,” said Prof. Raju. Quoting from Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak’s original essay ‘Can the Subaltern Speak?’ he observed that there is no place for the subalterns or the lower-class population to express their opinions.

With the change of the regime in August 2024, he expressed his wish to see a pluralistic society free from all discrimination. “We are hopeful of positive reforms. At the same time, we must also strengthen our partnership with these communities,” noted Prof. Raju.

In keynote address, Mr. Philip Gain, director of SEHD explained the background of BRC, its goal and mission, and how the communities it is devoted to—Adivasis (ethnic communities), tea workers (80 ethnic communities), sex workers, transgender, Bede, Harijan, Rishi, Kaiputra, Jaladas and Bihari—are its bona fide beneficiaries.

“All citizens of the country are equal, and no one can be discriminated based on identity or occupation or anything. Such a desire has been in people’s minds for a long time, which was expressed through the July uprising,” noted Mr. Gain. “Now we have got an interim government. We expect that this government will make every effort to build a Bangladesh free from discrimination as far as possible. Hopefully, they will come up with the right roadmap.”

Mr. Gain discussed the findings of the books launched in this context. Considering those findings, he proposed some areas of reform—protection of the identity, language and culture of these communities; reform in wage structure; proper implementation and monitoring of labour legislation; reforms in the tea industry; equal opportunities and positive discrimination for select communities; ensuring social security and justice; distribution of khas land among the landless marginalized and poor people; implementation of the peace accord in the CHT; implementation of international conventions and ending legal discrimination; and protection of the environment, forest and forest dwellers.

Special guest Prof. Rounaq Jahan, distinguished fellow, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), gracefully shared her thoughts after listening to the community voices. Observations from communities astonished her. “If I did not come here, I would never know that amendments in legislation can be a matter of worry for some communities,” she noted.

Stressing the inclusion of community representatives to the reform commission, she said, “Now is the time to think about how to connect these communities with the interim government. Organizations like SEHD, PPRC, and CPD can play a leading role in this regard.”

She also stressed the importance of generating proper statistical data on these marginalized population and figuring out a way to best preserve the diversity of these communities while ensuring equal respect and dignity for them.

Another special guest, Prof. Syed M Hashemi, BRAC University, delivered that “living a dignified life is more important than economic rights.”

“You must make your voice louder. Otherwise, change will never happen,” said Prof. Hashemi. “Discussions are being held in narrow circles. We have to spread it around. If we cannot put pressure unitedly, all our efforts will go in vain.”

Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua, a lawyer of Supreme Court of Bangladesh reflected on legal issues relating to the rights of the marginalized communities. “According to the official report there are a good amount of khas (public) land unutilized. The government has an ample ground to distribute such land among marginalized and landless communities,” said Barrister Barua.

He also highlighted the constitutional rights of the transgender community, Biharis, and ethnic minorities. On misuse of the constitution in restricting the use of the term ‘Adivasi’ he said, “The function of the constitution is to ensure rights, not to define identity. This identity politics needs to be stopped.”

Barrister Barua strongly urged the government to sign the ‘Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989’ which ensures fundamental human rights of these population as well as protect their identities, languages and religions within the framework of the states they live in.

Article 14 of ‘Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989’ says,

“The rights of ownership and possession of the peoples concerned over the lands which they traditionally occupy shall be recognised. In addition, measures shall be taken in appropriate cases to safeguard the right of the peoples concerned to use lands not exclusively occupied by them, but to which they have traditionally had access for their subsistence and traditional activities.” “Particular attention shall be paid to the situation of nomadic peoples and shifting cultivators in this respect.” “Governments shall take steps as necessary to identify the lands which the peoples concerned traditionally occupy, and to guarantee effective protection of their rights of ownership and possession.” “Adequate procedures shall be established within the national legal system to resolve land claims by the peoples concerned.”

Prof. Rehman Sobhan, an eminent economist and chief guest at the event shared from his lifelong work experience of economic development, frustration and pathway for progress of the people economically downtrodden and left behind. A teacher of economics of Prof. Yunus who is now heading the interim government, Prof. Rehman Sobhan hoped “Professor Yunus will do the right thing.”

On miseries of tea workers, he said, “I have been hearing about their problems since 1960. It seems with time passing new dimensions are getting added to their already existing problems.” To bring economic relief to the tea workers he suggested, “Give them a share in the tea gardens and land they live on and till, no matter how small it is. This will give them an entitlement and effectively contribute to their economic upliftment.”

He proposed some probable solutions to the problems of marginalized population. He suggested a ‘basic income’ for all people including the marginalized groups who are in need of help to migrate out of destitution. “It will help to lead a decent life of the destitute people,” said Prof. Sobhan. “This is a national solution that I am proposing.”

Finally, he urged the community representatives, “You may approach Prof. Yunus to form a separate reform commission for you. Even if the interim government does not form a separate commission for you, the road does not end here. You can form a civic platform and share your demands. Hope the Chief Adviser will take note of that.”

In summarizing the discussions, Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, chair of event and facilitator concluded that the condition of the marginalized and excluded communities needs to be changed at three levels which are interconnected and should be followed to end discrimination. In the first level, their struggles should become visible through research and analysis. At the second level community voices should get louder and heard. Then their active participation in the policy making process has to be ensured.

“To bring economic relief to the tea workers give them a share in the tea gardens and land they live on and till, no matter how small it is. This will give them an entitlement and effectively contribute to their economic upliftment.”
—Prof. Rehman Sobhan

: Prof. Rehman Sobhan

: Prof. Rounaq Jahan

: Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman

: Mr. Rambhajan Kairi

Community Voices

Five community representatives spoke in the first session. They all are defenders of rights and active in their respective communities. They all shared their personal and community experiences.

Rambhajan Kairi, former general secretary, Bangladesh Cha Sramik Union (BCSU)

Several discriminations in the labour legislation are concerning for tea workers. We get worried every time we hear about an amendment is made to the labour law. Tea workers are not entitled to casual leave like in other industries. Gratuity was scrapped for us in the amendment of 2018. My question is, whose purpose do these amendments serve? They do not necessarily serve us. We have serious trouble with election of BCSU, the lone trade union in the tea industry and the largest in the country. The two-year labour agreement between the owners’ apex body Bangladesh Tea Association (BTA) and BCSU depends on the owner’s wish. The agreement is always signed post-facto. On the other hand, the last election of BCSU was held in 2018. As a result, the union is getting weaker and owners are taking advantage of it. One of our key concerns is low wages. We hope the interim government pays attention to the tea workers reforming the existing minimum wage structure considering the current market prices.

Eugin Nokrek, president of Joyenshahi Adibashi Unnayan Parishad

Social forestry projects have been destroying natural forest in Modhupur. Biodiversity has been massively destroyed in sal forest. We can no more collect wildly grown vegetables and herbs from the forests.

Our main problem relates to land rights. Most of us living in the forest villages do not have title deeds for land we live on and cultivate. As a result, we are always in fear of eviction. In Modhupur, we need low-interest loans, which we do not get from banks. As a result, many of us do not cultivate our land ourselves; we lease them to Bengalis. We also demand quota for the first- and second-class government jobs for the Adivasi communities.

Joya Tripura, president, CHT Women Headman-Karbari Network

The main problem in the CHT relates to land. We, indigenous women in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, are worst affected for rapidly shrinking of our traditional agriculture—jum cultivation. Factors such as development projects; plantation of timber trees, rubber, and tobacco; and Bengali settlement have led drastic loss of land available for jum cultivation. The land commission set up after the 1997 CHT Accord to settle land disputes remains non-functional to date. Yet, we are optimistic and we hope that the interim government will include representative from the CHT in the reform commission.

Milan Das, executive director, PARITTRAN

I represent Rishi community. Our existence in this world feels like a curse. When I was in the 5^th grade in school, I used to get singara served on a paper at the market next to our school where my friends used to have it on plate. Even today, 30 years later, that discrimination continues.

We are shocked that after July-August uprising that toppled the government of Sheikh Hasina, Hindus came under attacks. Seventy-seven 0f our Rishi students actively took part in the movement at Dhaka University. They were not affiliated with any party. Yet, they were attacked after 5 August 2024.

We demand social recognition and equal dignity as others in society. The interim government should accommodate us in each of the 10 reform commissions to consider our needs.

: Prof. Syed M Hashemi

: Jyotirmoy Barua

: Prof. Zakir Hossain Raju

: Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed

Krishnalal, president, Bangladesh Horijon Yokkha Parishad

We are bound to become cleaners generation after generation. My father was a cleaner, I am a cleaner and my children are cleaners. We are as if born to live with garbage. Even though we are educated, we do not get right jobs, because we are Harijans and untouchables.

We are frustrated, because despite raising our voices for the last 23 years and holding seminars and discussions, difficulties we face at work and in society have not been solved. Nobody listens to us because there is no political agenda.

Open Forum

In an open forum in the afternoon chaired by Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, executive director, Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) and facilitated by Philip Gain, more community representatives shared their thoughts for formulation of a draft reform agenda for the marginalized and excluded communities. Seven community leaders spoke on the community demands and solutions. The topmost of their demands and solutions were related to land, fair and equal income, legitimate rights of the tea workers, social recognition, social security, standard education, etc.

Mr. Nripen Paul, acting general secretary of Bangladesh Cha Sramik Union (BCSU) spoke on tea workers’ right to land, discrimination in the labour law for tea workers and violation of its important sections. He cited two examples—the tea workers getting no casual leave and gratuity—to explain how the tea workers are discriminated. He mentioned a current concern—12 gardens of the National Tea Company (NTC) not paying wages to tea workers for weeks. He demanded that the interim government steps in to solve the issue.

Aleya Akhter Lily, president, Sex Workers’ Network (SWN) stressed on the recognition of sex work as a profession. She said many workers undergo torture. “Recently, 1,300 sex workers have been subjected to torture,” reported Ms. Lily. “Children of sex workers are not given jobs because of their mother’s identity. We want this discrimination to end. We want social security and development-oriented programs.”

Speaking of her community’s acceptance in society, Joya Sikder, a transgender activist, questioned, “Why cannot our society accept our identity when different countries of the world can? How are we supposed to achieve SDG 5 without it?” She stressed, “If society, family, and state accepted us with due dignity and respect, everyone could live happily. For this, we need to stand together,” she further stressed.

Mortuza Ahmed Khan, Bihari representative from Geneva Camp, Dhaka said in grief, “We are enormously deprived of basic human rights. After 1971, we had been treated inhumanely.” He stressed on the need of mapping of the Bihari camps, and estimating the Bihari population size. “The Biharis often time face eviction threat,” said Mr. Khan. “We really do not want to live in camps. What we want is respectful rehabilitation.”

: Ms. Joya Tripura

: Mr. Nripen Paul

: Joy Sikder

Liton Das, president, Uttar Chattola Upokuliya Motshojibi Jaladas Samabay Kalyan Federation in Chattogram talked about the plights of the Jaladas, a sea-faring Hindu fishing community, concentrated in Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar. “We, Jaladas, are suffering heavily from economic crisis. We do not get bank loans and without other options left, we are compelled to take loans (dadon) from local businessmen at very high interest rates,” said Mr. Das. He stressed on scaling up social security for the Jaladas community and said, “Government should ensure adequate benefits for widows and healthcare facilities for women.”

Modon Kumar Mondol, a representative of Kaiputra, a pig rearing community concentrated in Satkhira, Jashore and Khulna districts, raised the insurmountable difficulties his community faces. “The majority of Bangladesh do not know who we are and the terrible time we go through in our trade with pigs,” said Mr. Mondol. “We should be able to access bank loans.”

Hridoy Harijan, a Harijan youth from Dhaka, said, “We want complete elimination of wage inequality among Harijan cleaners and between Bangali and Harijan cleaners.” He also demanded employment based on merit and secured housing, healthcare facilities, and risk allowances for cleaners and their families.

Spotlight on Tragic Wages of Harijans and Tea Workers

by admin | Apr 30, 2024 | Main Reports, News & Updates

Chief guest Dr. Hossain Zillur speaking at the discussion. Photo. Sanjoy Kairi

What a tragic story of wage deprivation! A Harijan in Sreemangal Municipality, who cleans the streets, gets a remuneration of taka 550 a month! Sukon Bashfor, a Harijan cleaner, employed by the Sreemangal Pourashava, told her appalling story with tear in eyes in a May Day celebration on 30 April 2024. “We work four hours a day and we work every day of the year whatever the weather is,” said Sukon. “There is no holiday for us even on May Day. And our monthly remuneration is only taka 550. To finish the target of cleaning my portion of the streets, my son and my husband join me with broom in hand.”

The Stories of Sukon Bashfor and other Harijan cleaners who live in hovels of Sreemangal Poura Colony were unearthed by two research staff of Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD)—Rabiullah and Sylester Tudu—and shared at the May Day celebration. The celebration organized by SEHD, Brattyajan Resource Centre (BRC) and Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC) also highlighted the wage deprivation of the tea workers. While the story of tea workers’ wage deprivation has been widely discussed in recent times, the stunning story of wage deprivation of the Harijan cleaners was as if heard of for the first time.

A hush descended over the audience when Sukon Bashfor and other delegations from the Harijan community from Moulvibazar and Sreemangal spoke.

There are 36 Harijan sweepers in Sreemangal who get this appalling monthly salary for keeping the capital of tea clean and habitable. The jamadar (supervisor) gets taka 580 a month. The Bangalee cleaners who reportedly work eight hours get a daily wage of taka 400.

Kanti Lal Bashfor, the president of Bangladesh Horijan Yokkha Parishad (BHYP) reported that in Habiganj Municipality, a Harijan cleaner gets a monthly salary of taka 900 for the same work, which is taka 3,500 for those of the Harijan community employed by the Moulvibazar Municipality. He also shared information on monthly salaries of Harijans in eight municipalities and one city corporation in Sylhet division.

Audience at the discussion. Photo. Sanjoy Kairi

Frustrated Kanti Lal Bashfor shared in angry tone: “The occupational skills of cleaners does not improve when the income is so meagre. When we go hungry, many of us lose their sense and engage in selling alcohol and marijuana.”

Sagar Harijan, the jamadar in Sreemangal added, “We Harijans do not get any health protection, pension and even any compensation or leave in emergencies such as accidents.”

The salaries of Harijan cleaners sweeping the streets in municipalities range from taka 550 to 4,000 and taka 3,000 to 17,000 in city corporations around the country. Among the cleaners who clean drains and transport waste in trucks are little better paid. Those who work in government offices, universities, colleges, hospitals, railway, etc. are on get government scales and get salaries between taka 12,000 and 25,000.

The key demand of the Harijan cleaners is that they get unified respectable salary scales. They also demand that the prime minister’s directive to provide 80% of cleaning jobs in municipalities and city corporations to the Harijans who allege that currently others are taking their jobs.

In his keynote presentation on the question of tea workers’ just wages, Philip Gain, researcher and director of SEHD, focused on the wage deprivation of tea workers. The current daily wage of a tea worker (Taka 170) which was fixed by the prime minister in the backdrop of an unprecedented strike in the tea garden in August 2022 is still inadequate. The tea workers’ wage has never been just. During the 1880s and 1890s the average monthly wage of a tea worker in Assam (Sylhet division was part of Assam back then), was six rupees. With this little income, they were not able to buy enough rice for the month. Back then a maund (40 kg) of rice would cost two rupees. The tea workers could spend one rupee. The owners then would add one rupee. Thus, the owners introduced subsidy for staple. Some other fringe benefits including medical care was also introduced. Thus, the owners invented techniques to keep the tea workers tied to the tea gardens in the post-slavery era. However, many see the tea workers and Harijans as modern slaves.

In Bangladesh the owners have followed the same techniques to not give the just cash wages to the tea workers and to keep the tea workers, most of them low caste Hindu and non-Bangalee, tied to the tea gardens.

What is most painful for the tea workers of Bangladesh is the owners have never paid them gratuity, shared company profit and have routinely violated several important sections of the labour legislations that are supposed to ensure decent work conditions, standard education and medical care among others. Violation of labour legislations indeed is the single most important factor for unjust wages and indecent work conditions.

Women tea workers in a rally during the August strike in 2022.Photo.Philip Gain

The speakers from the tea community and their lone union, Bangladesh Cha Sramik Union (BCSU) spoke on different aspects of wage deprivation and indecent work conditions, their causes and consequences.

Mr. Rambhajan Kairi, vice chairman of Kamalganj Upazila and trade union leader talked about how employers in tea gardens abuse labour legislations in their best interest and are not held accountable even though there are flagrant violations at their end. “In Bangladesh, legislation is used to deprive our tea workers,” Mr. Kairi remarked. “Whenever the price of tea falls, every tea worker has to bear the consequences. But when profits are made, that never reach the workers.”

Ms. Jasmine Akhter, vice president of BCSU commented on the status of women tea workers. “Despite the fact that majority of the tea leaf pluckers are women, they are not valued and respected either in the gardens or in their families,” said Ms. Akhter. “If they demand a just wage, they hear all about owners’ loss. And if they protest against injustice, they face trouble in every possible way.”

Mr. Paresh Kalindi, the treasurer of BCSU and Mr. Nripen Pal, acting general secretary of BCSU also spoke to raise community voice.

After the community voices heard, a panel of researchers, academic, lawyer, government official led the discussion into a root cause analysis and shared their thoughts on what needs to be done to pull the Harijans and tea workers out of their current appalling condition.

Mohammad Mahbubul Hasan, Deputy Inspector General of Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) in Sreemangal reflected on what his agency does for the workers. DIFE indeed is an important government agency to ensure implementation of labour legislations and well-being of the tea workers in particular. In his discussion he highlighted particularly how DIFE helps in getting financial aid to university students from tea gardens.

Katyayani Chandola, a lawyer from India represented NAZDEEK, a US-based advocacy group supporting work with tea workers in India and Bangladesh talked about the wages of tea workers in India and the plight of those in Assam. “Currently in Assam, the daily wage of a tea worker is Rs. 250, which however, is more than Rs. 400 in several other regions such as Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Now the tea workers of all the states of India are demanding that the minimum wages be fixed for all the states using the Supreme Court’s formula,” reported Chandola. “If wages were determined using the formula, the minimum wage would now be more than Rs. 500.”

Prof. Tanzimuddin Khan of University of Dhaka spoke on how to minimise the anomalies with wages. A country should put a standard in place to ensure just wages. “What we see in tea gardens and with Harijans is severe disrespect to social justice and dishonour to the spirit of the May Day,” said Prof. Khan. “Instead of different wage structures for different sectors, all unions should come together and demand a universal minimum wage for all sectors.”

Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, the chief guest at the celebration, reflected on wage deprivation of the Harijans and tea workers and how different actors can play a right role in giving them honour. “It is very important to specify the problems of our marginalized groups and work on solutions through strategic thinking,” said Dr. Rahman.

Women tea worker return home after day’s hard work.Photo.Philip Gain

“The most harmful aspect of marginalization is when people feel marginalized and powerless,” remarked Dr. Rahman. “It is very important for them to have the ability to show their potentials. Brattyajan Resource Centre (BRC) is helping the marginalized and excluded communities and giving them a platform through its continuous research. Journalists also have a responsibility in strengthening research and investigation.”

The Harijans and the tea workers have a similar history of migration to their current locations from different parts of India. The Harijans are traditionally known as sweepers and many of them consider themselves social outcasts or ‘Dalit’. The term, ‘Dalit’ is used to define the status of those who are outside the four Varnas in the Hindu Casteism, which means they belong to the so-called fifth category. The members of the Harijan community work as cleaners in the cities and municipalities all over the country except for three districts of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). They are among the most neglected in society and most deprived of all social privileges. Cleaning has been their main occupation for more than 200 years now. The Harijans with a population of around 100,000 are among the most marginalised communities who are afflicted with a variety of social and economic problems.

The 138,000 tea workers and their communities of half million people, most of them Hindus and considered the fifth category in the Hindu casteism, also migrated to their current locations to work in the tea gardens. Tied to the tea gardens for five generations they now work in 160 tea gardens in Sylhet and Chattogram divisions. The British companies had started bringing them from Bihar, Madras, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and other places in India to work in the tea gardens in Sylhet region from the 1850s. Engagement of these non-local communities was a post-slavery innovation to address the labour needs of colonial capitalist enterprises. The misfortune of these indentured labourers started with their journey to the tea gardens. The tea workers, belonging to as many as 80 ethnic identities, are also among the most deprived, exploited, alienated, excluded, poorest and marginalized peoples of Bangladesh.

The tea workers have many sad stories to tell. But their cultural riches demonstrate their inner strength. The songs, dances and a drama that the artists of ‘Pratik Theatre’ displayed to kick off the celebration on 30 April amazed everyone in the audience. Pratik Theatre, a premier cultural group among more than a dozen of them in the tea gardens, is based in Deundi Tea Estate. Established in 1986, the group now has more than 60 artists. Pratik Theatre is famed for nurturing cultural riches and making people aware of social, economic and political injustices that the tea workers face. It routinely organizes cultural events inside and outside the tea gardens to promote rights of the tea workers.

Philip Gain, research and director and Fahmida Afroze Nadia, researcher at Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD).

A Harijan colony in Mymensingh, flooded with rainwater. Photo. Philip Gain

News Link: Dhaka Courier || Bangla PDF

Call for Proposal for Evaluation

by admin | Apr 2, 2024 | News & Updates

The Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD) is pleased to call proposal from experts for an external evaluation of a project. For details see the attachment. Please also circulate the call to competent candidates.

DOWLOAD LINK

Books Explain Tea Workers’ Deprivation

by admin | Nov 11, 2023 | Main Reports, News & Updates

The story of tea plantation workers of Bangladesh is one of captivity, deprivation and exploitation that has no end. Descendants of the indentured labour force, they remain tied to the tea gardens. Most of them are non-Bangalee, lower caste Hindu, Adivasis, Bihari Muslims, and their ethnic composition is unique.

Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD) has been closely following the tea workers and the tea industry for two decades now. Its research, investigation and visual documentation have resulted in volumes of publications, investigative reports and three documentary films.

Its latest two books—Cha Sramiker Katha (The Story of the Tea Workers) edited by the writer and Cha Sramiker Mojuri: Maliker Labh, Sramiker Loksan (Wages of Tea Workers: Owners Win, Workers Lose) authored by the writer—were launched on 11 November 2023. While Cha Sramiker Katha is about the overall condition of the tea workers and the tea industry of Bangladesh, the other book concentrates on the tea workers’ wages and their unprecedented 19-day strike in August 2022 for a daily cash pay of BDT 300.

A group of tea workers including their top leaders traveled to Dhaka to attend the book launch ceremony and narrated their ordeals. A panel of economists, academics, and trade union leaders spoke strongly in favour of the tea workers. They concurred with messages that the books transpire and added their insights.

“Soon after the release of the second edition of Cha Sramiker Katha in 2022, an unprecedented 19-day strike appeared as an upheaval in the tea gardens. The strike came to end only after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina intervened and fixed the daily cash wage of workers at BDT 170, a rise from BDT 120. Although this increase did not fulfill the tea workers demand of BDT 300 in daily cash pay, the tea workers accepted it and went back to their work. Cha Sramiker Mojuri: Maliker Labh, Sramiker Loksan reviews and analyzes the events leading up to and after this unprecedented strike,” said Philip Gain, author and editor of the books and director of SEHD.

Fair wage is always the most pertinent issue and concern of the tea workers. “It is at the incitement of the owners of the tea gardens that increase of wage fell much short of what we demanded,” said Nripen Paul, the acting general secretary of Bangladesh Cha Sramik Union (BCSU), the lone trade union in the tea industry. It is also the largest trade union in Bangladesh.

“We are deprived of our legitimate benefits including legal entitlements and protection,” added Sreemoti Bauri, vice president of Juri Vally of BCSU, one of the seven valleys in the tea growing districts.
The second book on workers’ wage and unprecedent strike of August 2022 that brought the tea industry to a standstill elaborately discusses the wage issues of the tea workers. In this book, the author explains how the owners’ calculation of daily wage of a worker that amounts to more than BDT 500 (USD 4.5) is seriously flawed. Benefits that the labour legislation allows to be added to the cash pay is less than BDT 300 (USD 2.7).

This wage is around half of what an agricultural worker in Bangladesh gets and lot less than what lowest grade workers in other sectors get.

“The employers unjustly calculate the wages. They ignore the labour law in their calculation,” said Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua, a lawyer practicing in the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. “This attitude of the employers must change.”

On the minimum wage issue, Professor M.M. Akash, Chairman of Bureau of Economic Research (BER) of Dhaka University said, “Whenever it comes to increase tea workers’ wage, the owners say it is not possible. It is an eyewash.” He directed a question to the owners, “Why, you big companies, are taking over the tea gardens if you are not making good profits? If you do not make profit, why would you invest in the tea industry?”

“Tea workers’ job requires hard work. So, they should be paid enough so that they are able to nourish themselves adequately to be strong enough to work for eight hours. This major issue has to be taken into account while fixing their minimum wage,” Prof. Akash added.

“An audit of profit and loss of each tea garden must be carried out and made public before the owners claim ‘we are unable to pay more than this’. Because their luxurious lifestyle is telling something else,” remarked the editor of United News of Bangladesh (UNB), Mr. Farid Hossain.

Prof. Akash also pointed out how the poor economic status of the tea workers affects their fate. “If the workers had been financially well-off their 19-day strike would have lasted longer and workers could secure BDT 300 instead of BDT 170. Unfortunately, they are the ‘poorest among the poor’.”

Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, a senior economist and chair of the book launch, talked on how important it is to pay just wages to the tea workers. “We are dreaming of turning Bangladesh into a middle-income country. To see that dream come true, we must free our policy-sphere,” said Dr. Rahman. “We cannot become middle-income country with cheap labour such as the tea workers.”

Slashing of tea workers’ arrear is another facet of deprivation alongside their unjust wage. After prime minister fixed their daily cash pay at BDT 170, they were supposed to receive around BDT 30,000 in arrear for 20 months. But each got BDT 11,000. “Such a big slash has been possible because of maneuvering of the employers and failure of the union leaders in the tea sector,” Prof. Akash observed.

“The tea workers do not have much liberty to choose their work independently outside the garden. To try that they have to leave their houses inside the plantation, which they cannot afford because the country outside the tea gardens is unknown to them and they are completely landless,” remarked Prof. Akash. “All these factors compel them to remain tied to the tea gardens at least to secure a place to live. This condition restricts them from competing for jobs with others outside the plantation.”

Barrister Barua echoed this land rights issue in his discussion: “If owners follow Section 32 of labour law diligently, then why do they not pay heed to the benefits provided by Fifth Schedule of the Labour Rules 2015? Law cannot be used only to the employers’ convenience. The industry will develop in the right direction only when owners will consider workers as assets, not just the gardens.”

“Two books that are launched today are encyclopedic for journalists,” observed Mr. Farid Hossain. “While exploitation and hardships of the tea workers are documented in these books, some of their success stories are also highlighted. Our journalists should also focus and report such human-interest stories of tea workers.”

On the significance of struggle of the tea workers in the field, Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman said, “When the fight in field is joined by the fight with knowledge at the national level, the voice of the tea workers gets stronger. And I think with the books launched today, we have set the stage for such a collaboration. So, let us leave this publication ceremony with a feeling of strength.”

“The books launched have unveiled the tea workers situation,” said Tapan Datta, a life-long labour leader and adviser to BCSU since 1970. “These publications are another struggle like that of tea workers. It is for SEHD that tea workers’ land rights issues have come to the fore.”

Among others who spoke at the book launch included Prof. Tanzimuddin Khan and Prof. Sanjida Akhter of Dhaka University; Dhona Bauri, BCSU leader; and Abdullah Kafee of CPB. by Fahmida Afroze Nadia with Philip Gain

Newspaper Reports Link: Two books on tea workers published and discussion held (English) (Bangla) Dhaka Courier

Unity is Key to Resist Violence Against Women

by admin | Jan 23, 2023 | News & Updates

“Violence against women is widespread and multidimensional. Besides physical and psychological abuse, there is another dimension of violence and that is hatred and contempt against women and girls that systematic in society. In Bangladesh, there are very few people to patiently listen to the voices of the victims of violence. It is important to create space to hear the victims’ voices.”

This is how Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, former adviser to caretaker government, executive chairman of Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC) and research adviser of Brattyajan Resource Centre (BRC) reflected on violence and hostility women face in society. He spoke as the chief guest in a discussion organized by Brattyajan Resource Centre (BRC), Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD), PPRC and partner organizations on 30 November 2022 in Dhaka to celebrate 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. A colourful cultural programme of a transgender team followed the discussion.

Around 80 victims of extreme violence from among sex workers based in brothels and working on the streets and hotels, Hijra (transgender), tea workers, Bede, rights activists and journalists came together at the day discussion and celebration to share their solidarity in the yearly global campaign that runs from 25 November to December 10. The theme of the campaign for 2022 was ‘UNITE! Activism to End Violence against Women & Girls’.

While Dr. Rahman chaired the meeting, Philip Gain, the program director of BRC gave an overview of violence and discrimination against women from the select groups—tea workers, sex workers and transgender, ethnic communities and Bede (gypsy) community—who attended the day-long event.

An important aspect of day-long event was to listen to the voices of women who have fallen victims of violence including rape, phenomenal discrimination and deprivation.

A victim of gangrape [in 2015] and a teacher of Shamshernagar Tea Estate in Moulvibazar district, spoke of her nightmarish experience: “I tried to hide that I was raped and I wanted to commit suicide. I then told my story to my family and the doctor and filed a lawsuit in the hope of getting justice. But to date, I have not gotten justice. The accused taken into custody secured bail and are at large. I still demand fair trial and the culprits brought to book.

Joya Sikder, a transgender woman activist, spoke of the plights of the transgender community. “Hijra is an occupation and transgender is our sex identity. Everyone should have a clear idea before using these terminologies.”

Falguni Tripura, coordinator of Bangladesh Adivasi Women’s Network, maintained, “Language is one of the biggest barriers for our women. It is due to this barrier that the facts are not properly recorded in FIR,” said Ms. Tripura. “If complaints are not recorded right, how can we expect justice out of it?”

“Lily Begum, an inmate of Daulatdia brothel, is missing since 10 November 2021. We still don’t see fair investigation and trial. We want to know is she alive or not,” said wailing Kumli, a sex worker of the largest of 11 brothels of Bangladesh and one of the largest brothels in the world located on the bank of river Padma in Rajbari district. Extreme forms of violence including killing are often reported from this brothel with around 1400 sex workers.

Hazera begum, president of Shishuder Jonno Amra (we are for children), an organization dedicated to the children of sex workers and street children; Aleya Akter Lily, president of Sex Workers’ Network (SWN); Moni Kol from Baikunthopur Tea Estate, a female tea worker facing coercion from the manager of the garden and Titna Khatun, a Bede (gypsy) woman also shared their personal stories and plights at the discussion.

The community leaders, lawyers and human rights defenders shared insights about the roots of gender-based violence and also committed assistance, including legal support, to the victims.

One of the special guests, advocate Salma Ali, president of Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers’ Association (BNWLA), said, “Every sex worker has the right to file a case for rape and it is absolutely compulsory for the police to take such complaints.”

Advocate Ali added, “We have to be vocal every day round the year, not just during these 16 days of campaign. We must take more actions to make our resistance efforts more visible.”

Ms. Mithila Farzana, head of current affairs of Ekattor Television talked on the media strategy of telling the stories of women facing violence. “We have endless stories of gender-based violence to tell but very few get public attention. We need to design right strategies in order to make our stories more presentable. We also need to involve men here. They must become aware of our struggles too. Media can help spreading these stories to draw maximum attention,” said Ms. Farjana.

Nasimun Ara Haque Minu, president of Bangladesh Nari Sangbadik Kendra (BNSK), agreed with Mithila Farzana saying, “Unity is all we need. Men must participate too in this movement. Together our voices should get louder.”

“Why does the victim have to prove that she was raped? Questioned Ms. Minu. “Rather it should be the other way around—accused must prove that he is innocent.”

On the significance of the story telling session and discussion, Dr. Rahman said, “Telling stories is a powerful means. So, the victims’ voices must be strengthened and they need to be strategic in telling their stories in the right places to build resistance against social, mental and physical violence.”

Morjina Begum, executive director of Mukti Mohila Samiti (MMS) and adivasi woman activist Tandra Chakma also spoke at the discussion.

The event turned into a celebration with amazing cultural show of the Hijra community. Songs, dances, recitation of poems and mini-drama of the Hijra artists showcased their talents and communicated a message that all women, irrespective of their occupations and despite the discrimination they face, have strengths and potentials. Thus, the message transpired, if united, women and girls can resist violence in many fronts. Thus, this year’s theme, ‘UNITE! Activism to End Violence against Women & Girls’, got a meaning at celebration.

Report by Philip Gain | Bangla