Tea workers strike over Durga Puja bonus

Tea workers at Mirtinga Tea Estate in Kamalganj, Moulvibazar, staged a sit-in on Wednesday, demanding their Durga Puja bonuses and outstanding dues.

Thousands of workers gathered inside the factory around noon and vowed to continue their protest until their demands were met.

Workers’ leaders said they would not leave without receiving the bonus and arrears.

Mirtinga Tea Estate Manager Rezaul Hayat Khan Imon said workers usually receive 60 per cent of their bonus before Puja. However, due to delays in securing a loan from Bangladesh Krishi Bank, the management had arranged to pay 30 per cent this year.

He said the management was making every effort to pay the bonus, but workers remained firm on their demand for a 60 per cent bonus and outstanding dues.

-AJM