In Moulvibazar’s Kamalganj, workers at the National Tea Company’s (NTC) tea estates are facing severe financial hardship. Despite working regularly, they haven’t received their wages for nearly a month and a half following the fall of the Awami League government. This delay has left many struggling to afford basic necessities, with some even lacking food at home.
The situation is particularly dire as the Durga Puja festival approaches, and workers are uncertain if they will receive their festival bonuses. The NTC management attributes the delay to the dissolution of their board of directors after the government’s fall, which has hindered their ability to disburse wages. However, they assure that efforts are being made to resolve the issue before the festival.
The eight tea estates under NTC in Kamalganj employ around 8,000 workers, whose wages support approximately 20,000 people. The workers, despite their financial struggles, continue to work, but there is growing concern that prolonged delays could lead to protests and disruptions.
Union leaders and workers are urging the management to expedite the wage payments to avoid further hardship and potential unrest. The NTC’s general manager has indicated that a new chairman will be appointed soon, which should facilitate the release of wages and bonuses.
