Tea labourers in Habiganj on indefinite strike

Labourers of four tea gardens under Bahubal upazila of Habiganj district yesterday began an indefinite strike demanding recognition of the tea labour union committee that was elected in October 2008.

They also demanded handing over the 'Labour House', the head office of Bangladesh Tea Labour Union (BTLU) at Srimongal, to the elected body.

Bijoy Kumar Hazra, president of Balishira tea valley unit of the BTLU, told this correspondent over phone that labourers of Kamaichhara, Daragaon, Hatimara and Baluchhara tea gardens under Bahubal upazila began an indefinite strike yesterday, responding to the call given by the elected committee of Bangladesh Tea Laborers Union. Labourers of other tea gardens of the country will join the strike in phases, he said.

Election to Bangladesh Tea Labour Union was held in October 2008 and the elected body was functioning as usual. But labour and manpower ministry dissolved the committee on November 24 and formed an ad-hoc committee.

Following dissolution of the committee, a section of tea labour leaders has forcibly occupied the 'Labour House' at Srimongal on November 26, Bijon alleged.

Contacted, Bijoy Banerjee, convener of the ad-hoc committee, said the labour and manpower ministry dissolved the committee as its election was unconstitutional. According to union constitution, the ad-hoc committee will arrange a fresh election within 120 days, he said.

He claimed that the labour house at Srimongal was handed over to the ad-hoc committee in a proper way.