Course Code: MGT-409

Course Name: Industrial Relations

Submitted To:
Dr. Mohammad Abdur Rahman
Associate Professor,
Department of Business Administration
Daffodil International University

Submitted by:
Md. Al Amin Sagor 201-11-942
Sadia Tasnim Esha 201-11-944
Md. Faysal 201-11-963
Md. Noyan 201-11-964
Jantul Ferdus 201-11-968

Department of Business
DaffodilAdministration
International University
Introduction
-Introduction: The establishment of tea estates in Bangladesh can be traced back to the 19th
century during the British colonial period. The British East India Company initiated tea
cultivation in the hilly regions of present-day Bangladesh, primarily in areas such as Sylhet,
Chittagong, and Moulvibazar. Tea estates in Bangladesh are predominantly located in the
northeastern part of the country, encompassing regions like Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Habiganj,
and Panchagarh. The hilly terrains and suitable climatic conditions in these areas provide an
ideal environment for tea cultivation. The tea estates in Bangladesh primarily produce black
tea, which is known for its distinct flavor and quality. The country's tea is known to possess
unique characteristics influenced by factors such as climate, soil, and elevation. The tea estate
industry plays a vital role in Bangladesh's economy. Tea production contributes significantly
to the country's export earnings, generating foreign exchange and providing employment
opportunities for a substantial number of people. Tea estates in Bangladesh employ a
considerable workforce, consisting of both permanent and seasonal workers. These workers
are involved in various activities throughout the tea production cycle, including plucking tea
leaves, processing, packaging, and maintenance of tea gardens. Tea estates have a significant
impact on the socioeconomic conditions of the local communities. They provide employment
opportunities, infrastructure development, and access to basic amenities for the workers and
their families. The estates also contribute to the overall development of the regions where
they are located. Various tea estates in Bangladesh have obtained certifications such as
Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, and organic certifications, highlighting their commitment to
sustainable and socially responsible practices. These certifications ensure adherence to
specific standards and contribute to the marketability of Bangladeshi tea in international
markets.
-Background of Tea Estate Workers' Protests : There was agitation in 158 tea gardens in
Sylhet and Chattogram divisions during the tea-leaf-plucking season when the tea workers
began a two-hour strike from August 9-12. On August 13, they went on a full-day strike.
Bangladesh Cha Sramik Union (BCSU), the only trade union of around 100,000 tea garden
workers, is organising the strike. The key message of the tea workers and their union to the
owners is that they are fed up with the owners' position regarding their wages. Currently, a
tea worker gets a daily wage of Tk 120. BCSU is demanding a daily cash pay of Tk 300,
which is impossible given the current trend of pay rise. The BCSU, the combined bargaining
agent (CBA) for the tea workers, and Bangladesh Tea Association (BTA), tea garden owners'
representative body, sign an agreement every two years determining the wages and other
benefits of the tea workers. In negotiations between these two parties, BTA is always the
winner, and BCSU the loser. An agreement between the BCSU and BTA was last signed on
February 25, 2021, fixing the daily cash pay to Tk 120 for "A" class tea gardens, Tk 118 for
"B" class gardens and Tk 117 for "C" class tea gardens. These wages were effective from
January 1, 2019 to December 30, 2020, which means the agreement was signed post factum.
Generally, the agreements are not signed in time and the workers get their additional pay in
arrears. But since the last agreement period expired in December 2020, more than 19 months
have passed without an agreement and increase in wages.
In the meantime, the government had set up a Minimum Wage Board (for the third time for
the tea workers) in the second half of 2019 to fix tea workers' wages. In the six-member
board, Rambhajan Kairi represented the tea workers and demanded a daily cash pay of Tk
300. But to the disappointment of the workers, the wage board sent its recommendation to the
labour ministry in June 2021, keeping the daily cash pay unchanged and curtailing some
benefits that the tea workers had traditionally been receiving. The labour ministry thankfully
sent the recommendations back to the wage board for reconsideration. A meeting on
November 17, 2021 chaired by the state minister of the labour ministry with the members of
the Minimum Wage Board, BTA and BCSU was organised to find a solution to the stalemate.
The labour ministry reportedly issued some guidelines to the wage board. But again, to the
surprise of the tea workers, the wage board maintained its position in keeping the wages of
tea workers at Tk 120 per day.
- Significant of the Tea Estate Workers' Protests : The Tea Estate Workers' Protests in
Bangladesh hold significant importance for several reasons:

1. Labor Rights Advocacy: The protests serve as a platform for tea estate workers to
advocate for their labor rights and demand fair treatment. They highlight the need for
improved wages, better working conditions, access to basic amenities, and social
security benefits. These protests draw attention to the exploitation and hardships faced
by the workers and aim to bring about positive changes in their lives.
2. Economic Equality: The protests shed light on the socioeconomic disparities prevalent
in the tea industry. Tea estate workers often face low wages and limited access to
essential services, while the tea industry as a whole generates significant revenue. By
demanding fair wages and improved living conditions, the workers strive for greater
economic equality and a more equitable distribution of resources.
3. Social Justice: The protests underscore the importance of social justice and the fair
treatment of workers. They challenge the status quo and advocate for equal rights and
opportunities for tea estate workers. The demonstrations aim to address systemic
injustices and ensure that the workers are treated with dignity and respect.
4. Awareness and Solidarity: The protests raise awareness among the general public,
both within Bangladesh and internationally, about the challenges faced by tea estate
workers. They bring attention to the plight of these workers and their struggle for
better living and working conditions. The protests also foster solidarity among labor
organizations, human rights activists, and other groups that support the cause of the
workers.
5. Industry Reform: The sustained protests put pressure on tea estate owners, the
government, and other stakeholders to address the grievances of the workers and
implement meaningful reforms. The demonstrations can lead to policy changes,
improved labor laws, and better regulations within the tea industry. This can
 ultimately contribute to the overall development and sustainability of the tea sector in
Bangladesh.

Background and rationale

-Brief about the Tea Estate Workers' Protests: The Tea Estate Workers' Protests in
Bangladesh have been primarily driven by several underlying causes and grievances. Here are
some of the key factors contributing to these protests:

1. Low wages: One of the major issues faced by tea estate workers is the inadequacy of
their wages. Many workers receive minimal wages that are often insufficient to meet
their basic needs and support their families. The workers demand a significant
increase in wages to achieve a decent standard of living.
2. Poor working conditions: Tea estate workers often work long hours in physically
demanding conditions. They face challenges such as lack of proper safety measures,
inadequate protective equipment, and exposure to harsh weather conditions. The
protests aim to draw attention to the need for improved working conditions and
occupational safety standards.
3. Lack of basic amenities: Tea estate workers frequently lack access to basic amenities
like clean drinking water, sanitation facilities, healthcare services, and education
opportunities for their children. The protests highlight the demand for better living
conditions and the provision of essential services.
4. Land rights and housing: Many tea estate workers face difficulties in securing land
rights and decent housing. They often live in cramped and substandard housing
provided by the tea estates. The protests call for land ownership rights and improved
housing facilities for the workers and their families.
5. Lack of social security: Tea estate workers often lack access to social security
benefits, including healthcare coverage, retirement plans, and other welfare schemes.
The protests aim to address these issues and demand the implementation of social
security measures for the workers.
6. Labor rights and representation: The workers often express their grievances regarding
the lack of recognition of their labor rights, including the right to form labor unions
and engage in collective bargaining. They seek better representation and the ability to
negotiate for their rights and benefits.
-Briefly mention the purpose and introduce the topic and the key points about Tea
Estate Workers' Protests :
1. Grievances: The protests arise from issues such as low wages, poor working
conditions, lack of basic amenities, and limited social security benefits for tea estate
workers in Bangladesh.
2. Demands: The workers seek higher wages to meet their basic needs, improved
housing facilities, access to clean water and sanitation, better healthcare services, and
educational opportunities for their children.
3. Labor Rights: The protests highlight the workers' demand for recognition of their
labor rights, including the right to form labor unions and engage in collective
bargaining.
4. Socioeconomic Disparities: The protests shed light on the economic inequalities
within the tea industry, as workers often face low wages while the industry generates
significant revenue.
5. Awareness and Solidarity: The protests raise awareness about the challenges faced by
tea estate workers, fostering solidarity among labor organizations and human rights
activists.
6. Industry Reform: The protests put pressure on tea estate owners, the government, and
stakeholders to address workers' grievances, leading to policy changes, improved
labor laws, and better regulations within the tea industry.

Literature review of Tea Estate Workers' Protests :

1. Historical Context: The literature review would begin by providing a historical
background of the tea industry in Bangladesh and its significance in the country's
economy. It would discuss the establishment of tea estates and the development of
labor relations within the industry.
2. Labor Rights and Exploitation: The review would highlight the labor rights issues and
exploitation faced by tea estate workers, including low wages, long working hours,
poor working conditions, inadequate access to basic amenities, and limited social
security benefits. It would analyze the causes and consequences of these challenges.
3. Socioeconomic Impact: The literature review would explore the socioeconomic
impact of the tea industry and the protests on tea estate workers and their
communities. It would examine the implications for poverty alleviation, income
inequality, and social mobility.
4. Collective Action and Protest Movements: The review would discuss the emergence
and nature of the Tea Estate Workers' Protests, including the strategies employed by
workers to voice their grievances, such as strikes, demonstrations, and the formation
of labor unions. It would analyze the motivations, organization, and outcomes of these
protest movements.
5. Role of Stakeholders: The literature review would examine the roles of various
stakeholders, including tea estate owners, government institutions, labor
organizations, NGOs, and international actors, in shaping the dynamics of the
protests. It would analyze the responses and actions taken by these stakeholders to
address the concerns raised by the workers.
6. Policy and Institutional Reforms: The review would assess the impact of policy
interventions, legislative reforms, and institutional changes aimed at improving the
working conditions and labor rights of tea estate workers. It would analyze the
effectiveness of these measures and identify areas for further improvement.
7. Global Perspectives: The literature review might also include a comparative analysis
of tea estate worker protests in other countries with significant tea production,
highlighting common challenges, strategies, and outcomes. It would provide insights
into global labor movements within the tea industry.

1. Finding and Analysis :

Social Factors:

a. Labor Rights and Social Justice: The protests highlight the social injustice and
inequalities faced by tea estate workers, advocating for their labor rights, fair
treatment, and improved living conditions.
b. Community Empowerment: The protests bring attention to the needs and
aspirations of tea estate workers and their communities, aiming to empower them by
demanding better wages, access to basic amenities, and social security benefits.
c. Solidarity and Collective Action: The protests foster solidarity among workers,
labor organizations, and human rights activists, creating a sense of unity and
collective action for social change.
2. Economic Factors:
a. Poverty and Income Inequality: The protests draw attention to the low wages and
economic disparities faced by tea estate workers, highlighting the need for fair
compensation and improved socioeconomic conditions.
b. Economic Sustainability: The protests address the economic sustainability of the
tea industry by advocating for fair trade practices, ensuring that workers receive a fair
share of the industry's profits, and promoting a more equitable distribution of
economic resources.
Ecological/Environmental Factors:
a. Sustainable Agriculture: The protests may raise awareness about the importance of
sustainable agricultural practices within the tea industry, promoting environmental
stewardship and conservation.
b. Biodiversity Conservation: The protests may highlight the need to protect and
preserve the natural habitats and biodiversity in and around tea estates, emphasizing
the importance of responsible land management practices.
c. Climate Change Resilience: The protests may advocate for measures to enhance the
resilience of tea estates to the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather
events, droughts, and changing growing conditions.
Recommendation & Conclusion :
Recommendations:
1. Improve Working Conditions: Take immediate steps to improve the working
conditions of tea estate workers, including providing proper housing, access to clean
water and sanitation facilities, and healthcare services within the estates.
2. Fair Wages and Benefits: Ensure that tea estate workers receive fair wages that meet
their basic needs and provide access to social security benefits, including healthcare
and pension plans.
3. Strengthen Labor Rights: Recognize and protect the labor rights of tea estate workers,
including the right to form labor unions, engage in collective bargaining, and have
their grievances addressed in a fair and transparent manner.
4. Enhance Social Services: Invest in the development of social infrastructure, such as
schools, community centers, and vocational training programs, to support the
educational and skill development needs of tea estate workers and their families.
5. Promote Sustainability Practices: Encourage sustainable agricultural practices within
tea estates, including organic farming methods, water conservation, and biodiversity
preservation, to ensure the long-term ecological and environmental sustainability of
the industry.
Conclusion:
The Tea Estate Workers' Protests in Bangladesh have shed light on the challenges faced by
tea estate workers and their struggle for improved working conditions, fair wages, and labor
rights. These protests have played a crucial role in advocating for social justice, economic
equality, and environmental sustainability within the tea industry.
Overall, the Tea Estate Workers' Protests have brought attention to the need for systemic
changes in the tea industry and have paved the way for dialogue and reforms that can lead to
a more just, equitable, and sustainable future for tea estate workers in Bangladesh.

Source:
https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/tea-workers-go-indefinite-strike-demanding-pay-hike-476350

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/21/why-are-bangladesh-tea-workers-protesting

https://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2022/08/31/tea-garden-owners-claim-strike-caused-daily-loss-of-20c

https://www.ucanews.com/news/no-end-to-slavery-for-bangladeshs-tea-workers/89989
https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/umhgw3nve0