Historically, the tea industry in Bangladesh has been standing on the backbreaking labour of tea garden workers

“I didn't think I could come this far,” said a beaming Horibol Bonarjee, a student of Moulvibazar Government High School, who passed this year’s Secondary School Certificate (SSC).

Basanti Bauri, 40, of Moulvibazar works for a renowned tea estate as a “plucker”. Her day starts at 5:00am sharp. After paying homage to the family deity, she prepares food for her three children and husband.

Workers of 22 tea gardens in Sylhet district go on a work abstention demanding their 16 months’ arrear and also an increase in their daily wage.

Thousands of tea garden workers in Sylhet division observed a four-hour work abstention today, demanding a hike on their daily payment.