Ensure minimum wage for tea workers
As a nation born out of a struggle against economic and social injustice, we are morally obliged to build a society free of exploitation. Yet, a sizable portion of our population is still being exploited, and tea workers top the list. According to a report by this newspaper, even in 2018, the daily wage of a tea worker is only Tk 85, whereas even a farm worker earns Tk 300 a day. Meanwhile tea garden owners have made millions.
As a nation born out of a struggle against economic and social injustice, we are morally obliged to build a society free of exploitation. Yet, a sizable portion of our population is still being exploited, and tea workers top the list. According to a report by this newspaper, even in 2018, the daily wage of a tea worker is only Tk 85, whereas even a farm worker earns Tk 300 a day. Meanwhile tea garden owners have made millions.
It is high time the government set up a wage board for tea workers and fixed a minimum wage for them. In addition, they should also be provided legal aid.
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Tapas Pal, Apprentice Lawyer, Dinajpur Judge Court
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