National Tea Day
Tea workers, tea garden owners and government discuss on economic diversification and decent work in tea industry in Bangladesh
6 June 2024
On 4 June, Bangladesh celebrated National Tea Day, highlighting its rich tea heritage with 159 tea gardens across seven districts. These gardens employ approximately 100,619 workers, half of whom are women. Despite their vital contribution, tea workers remain some of the most marginalized in the country, as identified by a ILO study on the working conditions of tea garden workers (2016). Despite their vital contribution, tea workers remain some of the most marginalized in the country, as identified by a ILO study on the working conditions of tea garden workers (2016).
DHAKA (ILO news)- In response to the National Tea Day 2024, the ILO's ProGRESS project, funded by the Government of Canada, organized a significant discussion on 5 June 2024, in Sreemangal, Maulvibazar. This event aimed to amplify tea workers' voices and explore economic diversification while addressing challenges and opportunities in the industry.
The meeting saw active participation from over 100 attendees, including tea workers, garden owners, and government representatives. Chaired by Mr Tuomo Poutiainen, Country Director of ILO Bangladesh, the discussion facilitated a tripartite dialogue focused on ensuring decent work in the tea sector.
Mr Rambhajan Kairi, Advisor to the Bangladesh Cha Sramik Association, highlighted several challenges faced by tea garden workers. He pointed out discriminatory clauses in the 2006 amended labour law, the lack of employer compassion for workers' efforts, and tea workers' limited knowledge of their rights, collective bargaining capabilities, and market dynamics.
Mr G.M. Shibly, a garden owner, acknowledged these challenges and emphasized the need for collective discussions to find solutions. “We all know the challenges in the tea industry that could be solved only if we can sit together and reach a consensus to mitigate them,” he said.
The ProGRESS Project aims to support the skills development needs and employment (both wage and self-employment) of unemployed women and youth in tea gardens. This initiative seeks to increase their income and address their economic needs.
Ms Barnali Pal, Additional Deputy Commissioner, representing the Deputy Commissioner of Maulvibazar, shared that the DC office, in collaboration with the Labour Ministry, is launching technical education and skills development training in tea gardens. Representatives from the Department of Labour and the Department of Factory Inspection reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring decent work for tea workers.
Mr Tuomo Poutiainen, Country Director, ILO Bangladesh stressed the importance of addressing the issues raised by tea workers through proper dialogue among workers, employers, and the government. “The absence of effective social dialogue between the workers, employers, and the government is one of the contributing factors for workers’ deprivation of decent work. The dialogue can be successful only when the workers can raise a strong collective voice through their organization. Hence, there is an acute necessity of organizing such discussions among the tea plantation workers, particularly women workers to strengthen their voice and organization,” he said.
The government has been working to address the difficulties faced by tea workers in recent years and recognizes the need for comprehensive policy measures to provide access to services and adequate social safety net coverage. Strengthening existing systems and ensuring the quality of essential services for all residents in these areas is crucial. The tea garden communities, due to long-standing practices and limited access to mainstream education, have fallen into an intergenerational cycle of poverty that needs to be broken through targeted interventions.
Employability of women workers
Promoting Gender Responsive Enterprise Development and TVET Systems (ProGRESS)