Dhaka:At a consultation held on Wednesday, speakers urged the government of Bangladesh to reconsider its proposal to reclassify the tea industry as an agricultural sector. They warned that this change could negatively impact workers' rights and welfare, as well as create broader issues related to land ownership and the future of the industry.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the consultation, titled 'Restructuring Bangladesh's Tea Industry: Implications for Tea Workers', took place at the Jatiya Press Club. It was jointly organized by the Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD), Brattyajan Resource Centre, and Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC).
Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, Executive Chairman of PPRC, described the proposal to classify tea as agriculture as hasty and incompatible with the government's broader economic development policy. He emphasized that tea has both agricultural and industrial aspects, with the cultivation of leaves in plantations and processing in factories. He advocated for a comprehensive plan to enhance the tea industry's dynamism and sustainability, rather than a narrow reclassification.
Dr. Rahman also recommended reviewing the government's advisory and monitoring committee's composition to include representatives from the Industries Ministry and tea workers. He called for an alternative proposal that addresses the sector's overall development, including productivity, workers' rights, land and housing issues, and cultural heritage.
Prof. Tanzimuddin Khan questioned why only 10 out of 59 government task force recommendations were made public, demanding full disclosure. He also raised concerns about the technical committee's composition, noting the absence of Agriculture and Labour ministry representatives, and called for scrutiny of potential conflicts of interest.
Activist Khushi Kabir stressed that tea estates cannot be treated like ordinary agricultural farms, as they provide livelihoods, housing, and essential services for generations of workers. She advocated for a tripartite process involving the government, tea garden owners, and workers before making any decisions.
Prof. Syed M Hashemi suggested that government support should aim to increase productivity in a way that benefits all stakeholders, not just the owners. Tea worker Khairun Akter expressed strong opposition to changing the identity of tea workers to agricultural workers, emphasizing pride in her identity and demanding inclusion in future discussions. She warned that workers would resort to stronger protests if excluded from decision-making.
Philip Gain, Director of SEHD, moderated the event.