SREEMANGAL, MOULVIBAZAR, Jan 27: Tea workers in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, held a rally protesting what they described as attempts by a section of self-styled tea workers to sabotage the triennial election of the Bangladesh Tea Workers' Union (BTWU) and create instability in the tea industry.
On Tuesday morning, several thousand tea workers brought out a large protest procession in Sreemangal. After the march, memorandums were submitted to the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Directorate of Labour through Mahabbat Hossain, deputy director of the divisional labour office in Sreemangal, and to the district administration through Upazila Nirbahi Officer Islam Uddin.
Addressing the rally, BTWU Organising Secretary Bijoy Hajra said that according to the union's constitution, only active, subscription-paying members are eligible to participate in union activities and contest elections. "However, with the aim of creating instability in the tea industry and tarnishing the government's image, some law-breaking individuals who are not union members are spreading rumours and creating confusion and discontent among tea workers," he alleged.
He further said that on January 18, a group led by Geeta Rani Kanu, Janak Lal Desuara, Bishu Goyala, Dalim Bonarjee and Akash Doshad staged a sit-in in front of the offices of the chief election commissioner of the Bangladesh Cha Sramik Union (Bachashram) and the deputy director of the divisional labour office in Sreemangal, demanding approval of an ad hoc committee in violation of the union constitution.
"This unreasonable demand is essentially an attempt to derail the Bachashram election and a conspiracy to negatively affect the tea industry and create divisions within the united tea community ahead of the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election," he said.
Calling for the authorities' intervention, Bijoy Hajra urged measures to prevent what he termed disorderly activities by the self-styled workers to ensure a peaceful election environment and maintain the momentum of progress in the tea industry.
Speaking at the programme, Mahabbat Hossain said, the tea industry is one of the key pillars of Bangladesh's development. "We will not allow the tea industry to be harmed in any way. Protecting the tea industry is our collective commitment," he said.
He added that the memorandums would be duly forwarded to the director general of the Directorate of Labour and the demands would also be conveyed verbally. "The country is moving along the democratic path, with elections ahead. We love our country and its development. I do not expect any anarchic situation at this time," he said, adding that the memorandums had been received with due respect.
Among others present were BTWU Acting President Pankaj A Kando, Acting General Secretary Nipen Pal, Organising Secretary Bijoy Hajra, Finance Secretary Paresh Kalindi, Executive President Baishistha Tanti, Vice-President Jasmin Akhter, Assistant Secretary Rekha Bakti, Balishira Valley Organising Secretary Karna Tanti, Vice-President Sabita Goyala, and Manu Dhalai Valley Secretary Nirmal Painka.
