Save tea industry in Bangladesh

Eminent economist Wahiduddin Mahmood on Thursday observed that the tea industry, which was once a booming sector, had become sick due to lack of research, modernisation, good management and lack of financial assistance. He urged the government to take necessary steps to save the country's moribund tea industry. Addressing a function on the occasion of launching a book, titled Cha Sramiker Katha [The Story of Tea Workers], edited by Philip Gain, Mahmood recalled that the tea industry had got a momentum in 1980s but later it started to become a sick sector. He stressed on using modern technology to revive the sick industry. The economist lamented that Bangladeshi workers were getting lower wages compared to that in other tea growing countries. He pointed out the maximum daily wage of a tea worker is only Tk 48 which is a pittance considering the price-hike of essentials. The minimum daily wage of tea worker is Tk 45. The rights of the tea workers were not ensured because of their exclusion from society which has a legacy of slavery and colonialism, Mahmood said. 'Trade union rights of the tea workers should be ensured to stop unethical exploitation by the owners of tea the estates,' he said.\ Society for Environment and Human Development organised the book launching programme at the National Press Club in the city. Chaired by SEHD Chairman Shakhawat Ali Khan, the function was addressed by, among others, coordinator of Nijera Kori Khushi Kabir, former chairman of international relations department of Dhaka University Amena Mohsin, Chairman of Minimum Wage Board Ikteder Ahmed, member of Bangladesh Tea Association M Shah Alam, tea worker leaders Tapon Dutta and Ranbhajan Koiri. Speaking on the occasion, Khushi Kabir said the respective garden owners and the government should come forward with initiatives to ensure fair wages for the tea workers.