Habiganj, Oct 28 (V7N) – Around 850 workers at Noapara Tea Garden in Madhabpur upazila of Habiganj have stopped work after failing to receive their weekly wages on Monday.
The workers were scheduled to receive their wages that day but returned home empty-handed. In protest, they did not join work on Tuesday, saying they would remain on strike until their outstanding wages were paid.
Once regarded as one of the country’s well-maintained and reputable tea gardens, Noapara has been facing various problems for several years amid financial difficulties. Sources concerned with the garden said the property, owned by former foreign minister Morshed Khan, is now experiencing a serious financial crisis, directly affecting the livelihoods of its workers.
Garden authorities said they had been unable to secure bank loans for several years. The financial difficulties previously led to the disconnection of the garden’s gas supply, disrupting tea processing. The factory remained closed for nearly two years before reopening despite various challenges.
Management said it had since tried to pay workers’ wages and other dues. However, rising production costs and tea prices that have not increased sufficiently have resulted in annual losses, making it increasingly difficult to operate the garden.
Workers said they had been facing recurring problems, including uncertainty over wages and difficulties involving other benefits. The latest delay in weekly payments has further worsened their hardship.
Khelu Nayek, a workers’ leader at the garden, said the situation had been deteriorating and management was struggling to pay wages regularly.
“Workers were supposed to receive their wages on Monday, but everyone returned home empty-handed. We use our weekly earnings to buy rice, lentils and other essentials for our families. How are we supposed to manage without our wages?” he said.
He added that most tea workers earned low wages and had little or no savings. Their weekly income was essential for meeting household food and other basic expenses, leaving families in serious uncertainty when payments were delayed.
Comed Nayek, president of Noapara Tea Garden, said management had not provided a clear answer about when the wages would be paid, fuelling dissatisfaction among workers.
He said the work stoppage began on Tuesday and its duration remained uncertain. The workers were willing to return once their outstanding wages were settled, he added.
Comed Nayek said the matter had been brought to the attention of the Madhabpur upazila administration and the Department of Labour in Sreemangal.
Garden manager Sohag Mahmud confirmed that the wages could not be paid because of a shortage of funds. He said the company was trying to manage the situation but continued to face annual losses.
The prices of almost all inputs related to tea production had increased, while tea prices had not risen at the same rate, he said, adding that sustaining the garden amid years of losses had become increasingly difficult.
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