Wages of tea workers up by 20pc

FT ONLINE

The wages of tea workers have been increased by 20 per cent to Tk 102 per day and Tk 714 per week with retrospective effect from January 1 in 2017.

The wages were fixed for a two-year term to be ended on December 31 this year.

The wages were Tk 85 per day and Tk 595 per week in 2015.

The wages of monthly-rated workers were also increased by up to 39.73 per cent, the BTA said in a statement.

The Bangladesh Tea Association (BTA), the representative body of the tea estates in the country, and the Bangladesh Cha Sramik Union (BCSU), signed an agreement in this effect on Saturday at the office of the BTA in Dhaka.

Other allowances of various categories of workers also increased considerably, according to the statement.

“The agreement reflected the cordial relationship between the Bangladesh Tea Association and the Bangladesh Cha Sramik Union.”

Both sides expressed hope that the financial benefits would help improve productivity and overall development of the industry, according to the statement.

BTA Chairman Ardashir Kabir, Central Committee Member and Convener Tahsin Ahmed Choudhury, former chairperson Laila Rahman Kabir, Sylhet Branch Chairman GM Shiblee, BTA Secretary Kazi Muzafar Ahammed and BCSU President Makhan Lal Karmakar were also present.