Tea workers warn of movement as Moulvibazar’s Camellia Hospital remains shut for 37 days

Over one lakh tea workers and their family members under 15 estates of Duncan Brothers in Moulvibazar’s Kamolganj upazila are facing healthcare crisis as the Camellia Duncan Foundation Hospital at Shamshernagar has remained closed for 37 days.

The prolonged shutdown has triggered widespread anger among workers, who have warned of launching a movement if the hospital is not reopened soon.

The demand was raised at a meeting of Tea Workers’ Union, Moulvibazar district unit, held at Shamshernagar on Sunday evening, presided over by acting president Shyamal Olmik. Bangladesh Trade Union Federation district general secretary Rajat Biswas attended as a guest, while Harinarayan Hazra conducted the programme.

According to sources, on the night of March 26, Aishi Rabidas, a seventh-grade student and daughter of tea worker Babul Rabidas, was admitted to the hospital with a headache. She died the following morning, triggering protests by workers who confined doctors and staff. The situation was later brought under control with intervention of the administration.

Since the incident, hospital authorities have suspended services, citing security concerns and operations have yet to resume.

Speakers at the meeting said the hospital was the only healthcare facility for tea workers and alleged that several workers have already died due to lack of treatment during the shutdown.

They termed the continued closure over an isolated incident “unprecedented” and a denial of basic healthcare rights.

Citing a 2018 joint survey by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and UNICEF, they said 74 per cent of tea garden families live below the poverty line, while malnutrition and lack of sanitation remain widespread.

Earlier, on April 13, workers submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner (DC), civil surgeon and upazila nirbahi officer (UNO), placing four demands, including reopening of the hospital and proper investigation into Aishi’s death.

Alleging inaction, labour leaders warned that a hard movement will be launched if the hospital is not reopened by May 15.

SS/AM