BATB third-party workers in Kushtia demand permanent jobs, threaten nationwide blockade

Third-party field technicians and office staff of British American Tobacco Bangladesh PLC (BATB) in Kushtia have demanded an end to outsourcing and contracting arrangements and permanent employment, warning of tougher action if their demands are not met.

At a press conference in Kushtia today (10 August), the workers alleged that they have been performing important field-level duties for BATB for 16 years but have no permanent job security or access to annual profit-sharing benefits under labour law.

The press conference was organised by the BATB Field Technicians and Office Staff Workers Welfare Union at Chilis Food Park in Kushtia. Central office secretary Sujon Sheikh read out the workers' written statement.

According to the statement, the workers have been involved since 2010 in selecting tobacco farmers, completing contracts, distributing seeds and fertiliser, field monitoring, tobacco collection and operating the company's various IT-based applications.

The workers alleged that positions once held by permanent employees were gradually brought under outsourcing and contracting arrangements to increase profits, leaving them without job security despite performing the same duties for years.

They also claimed they were being denied annual profit-sharing benefits (WPPF) under labour law. The workers said they have a legal right to permanent employment under Rule 16(5) of the 2015 Labour Rules and Section 18(2) of the 2022 rules.

They said a hearing on their demands and legal position was held at the Rangpur divisional commissioner's office on 3 August as part of their ongoing movement.

The workers further alleged that BATB authorities, despite being aware of their demands and legal position, transferred 20 senior union leaders to remote locations. They also claimed that general diaries were filed against 38 workers as a form of harassment.

The workers have observed 17 days of work stoppages in two phases since 20 July. They began another 10-day full work stoppage on 6 August after failing to secure an effective resolution.

The union leaders said the movement would continue until they were freed from what they described as "modern slavery" under the contracting system and received direct permanent employment at BATB.

They warned that if their demands are not addressed during the ongoing work stoppage, they would enforce a nationwide blockade across all BATB regions.

They also said BATB authorities would have to bear full responsibility for any disruption to field operations or damage resulting from the blockade.

A BATB spokesperson said the company has operated in Bangladesh for over 116 years and remains deeply committed to the country's development as one of its leading taxpayers.

"We are aware of some recent reports concerning individuals engaged through third-party service providers supporting our leaf operations. We are actively engaging our third-party service provider to resolve the situation amicably and in full compliance with the law."