Tea workers block Sylhet airport road demanding due wages
Approximately 2,500 workers from Charagang, Kalagul, and Burjan tea gardens — as well as the Burjan tea factory — have reportedly not received wages for the past 20 weeks. All of these are operated under the Burjan Tea Company
Tea workers from three gardens in Sylhet blocked the Sylhet airport road today (4 May) to press home their 11-point demands including payment of outstanding wages.
The workers began their blockade at 1 pm at Chowkidekhi in Sylhet city, blocking the Ambarkhana-Airport road. Workers from Burjan, Charagang, Kalagul gardens and the Burjan factory, all under the Burjan Tea Company, took part in the protest.
They demanded payment of 20 weeks' overdue wages. Some workers from Lakkatura and Malnichhara gardens also joined.
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Later, in response to assurances from the administration, seven representatives of the tea workers went to the upazila administration office. The rest of the workers lifted the blockade around 3pm and marched to the nearby Malnichhara tea garden, where they continued their sit-in.
The workers stated that their protest would continue until they received a written commitment to fulfil their demands.
The blockade caused severe traffic congestion on the airport road. Police, army personnel, and other law enforcement officials were present at the scene.
Tea workers' leader Ajit Roy said, "We haven't received wages or rations for five months. We have only one demand: resolve our issues. Otherwise, we will not leave the road. You've forced us onto the streets. We've informed you of our problems many times, but no one took any steps. If we don't get a written promise today, we won't end our protest."
"So many people are starving. Even those who went with ration cards were denied rations. You haven't seen how miserable their lives are. Give us a specific written statement on when you will solve these problems," he added.
During the blockade, the UNO of Sadar upazila, Khoshnur Rubaiyat, arrived at the scene and said, "We are making sincere efforts to resolve your problems. We're working to ensure that your due wages and all your issues are resolved as quickly as possible."
Regarding the workers' demand for a written commitment, the UNO said, "We will inform the workers in writing today about when we can resolve the issue."
