Tea labour in northern Bangladesh and the recent issues. 

Hey guys, I am back after three week. Although I know it was a big break. It was not actually a break. I was so busy with my academic life that I couldn't focus on this platform. You guys know that the life of a student is not easy at the time of exam. But now I am a little bit free from all activities. Hoping that from now I will be regular here with you guys. 

As I belong to Bangladesh, I need to be alert about the issues happening inside the country. From a few days a labour movement is rising within the tea labourers in Sylhet, Bangladesh. Tea labourers means those labour who work in tea gardens. They usually collect the leaves of tea. 

There is a huge geographical diversity in our country. In the North there can be so many hills. In the south you will see river based culture. Although we have almost 230 rivers in this small country. And as we are a riverine country, our lands are very fertile for farming. 

In the northern part there are so many little hills. And the soil is very much capable of being a tea garden. And it needs to be mentioned here that tea is one of the products which we export most. After fulfilling the demand of the country, tea is exported to various countries in the world and our tea has a good reputation.. 

Tea gardens are also beautiful. I have visited there two times. It was like a green field. Wherever the eyesight goes I just saw green and green. These are also well organised. 

Tea is also a very popular drink in our country. From the corporate office to the rickshaw drivers, everyone loves tea in our country. I think tea is a product which implies social equality. I also love tea. I drink almost 3-5 cup tea everyday. 

But do we really think about those who are working for producing and manufacturing tea? Actually we are not. Because they are not living a good and healthy life. There is a huge violation of human rights that is defined by the Universal Human rights declaration. You will be surprised if you hear the salary they are given for their work. They work hard for 8 hours and get just 120 Taka which is equal to 1.3$. This is totally unfair. 

Some stories are getting viral nowadays. Which tells the people who work in the tea garden to just eat rice with salt. They can't afford good clothes for them and their children. They can't ensure education for their children. Their health rights are also violated. They are also human beings. They also have rights to live properly. This is one kind of exploitation by the owners of the tea gardens. 

Now they have become United and are raising their voice. They claimed that their salary might be raised to 300 taka or 3.2 dollars, otherwise they will not work. And after getting media coverage all the people of the country had come to know about the inequality happening in the northern part of the country. All the citizens of the country have joined with the tea labourers and the government is taking the necessary steps. 

As i live in the capital city I saw many movements in the capital city for those labourers. People are talking about inequality. Let's think about how a person can live with this minimal payment. You guys know that the world is suffering from the post pandemic and a massive war situation. Price of every product is rising. And in this situation their Salary can just afford two kilograms of rice. It is inhumane I think. 

Although our government is working on this issue. In the first term, the government has increased 25 taka. But the labourers didn’t accept that. Hoping that the situation will have some good consequences for the labourers.

All the pictures are mine 

This is all for today. I will write about worldwide recent price hiking problem tomorrow. Stay safe and thanks for reading my article.