Dhaka: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today emphasized the importance of collective efforts to tackle social issues and pledged comprehensive government support for private-sector initiatives focused on social welfare. During a formal ceremony, he inaugurated a program aimed at distributing 20,000 raincoats to tea garden workers in the Sylhet division, highlighting the role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds in this initiative.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Prime Minister launched the program at the Bangladesh Secretariat by personally handing over raincoats to 10 tea workers from the Sreemangal and Kamalganj upazilas in Moulvibazar district. Shahriar Pamir, the Prime Minister's Assistant Press Secretary, noted that the distribution aims to protect workers from adverse weather conditions, with contributions from various private-sector entities.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Social Welfare, will see the distribution of raincoats across tea gardens in Sylhet, Moulvibazar, and Habiganj districts. Contributions include 10,000 raincoats from the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI), 5,000 from Chevron Bangladesh, and 5,000 from the Pandughar Group.
Prime Minister Rahman assured the private sector of the government's unwavering support in humanitarian and social endeavors. "Those who want to participate in such public welfare activities will always have the government by their side," he stated, reinforcing the partnership between the government and private entities in enhancing social welfare.
Private-sector representatives at the event underscored their commitment to supporting disadvantaged communities as part of CSR obligations. They expressed a willingness to collaborate with the government in future endeavors to uplift the living standards and ensure safer working conditions for tea workers and other marginalized groups.
In a gesture of goodwill, Santuki Roy, a worker from the Mazdehi Tea Garden in Sreemangal, presented tea leaves to the Prime Minister. On behalf of the tea workers, individuals such as Shanti Uria and Munni Kurmi expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and the involved organizations for their support.
The event was attended by notable figures, including Social Welfare Minister Abu Zafar Md Zahid Hossain, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, and Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque, among others. Lawmakers from the Sylhet and Moulvibazar regions were also present, alongside representatives from BAPI, Chevron Bangladesh, and Pandughar Group, who reiterated their support for the cause.