Experts at a discussion on the inauguration of two books on tea workers in Bangladesh emphasised the importance of intellectual struggle, in addition to field struggle, in securing the rights of tea workers.
The discussion was held at the National Press Club on Saturday.
The two books, Cha Sramiker Katha and Cha Sramiker Mojuri: Maliker Labh, Sramiker Loksan, were authored by Philip Gain.
The discussion was chaired and moderated by Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, executive chairman of the Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC) and chairperson of BRAC.
The publications and discussion event were organised by the Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD), Bratyjan Resource Center (BRC) and PPRC.
Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman said, “Through this book, people will know more about the struggle of tea workers. Along with the fight on the ground, the fight for knowledge must continue and everyone must be involved in it”
He also noted that businesses have developed an addiction to obtaining cheap labour, which affects all types of workers. He called for the struggle to be continued from every place, using intelligence and the power of justice.
Cha Sramiker Katha focuses on the general condition of tea workers and the tea industry of Bangladesh, while Cha Sramiker Mojuri: Maliker Labh, Sramiker Loksan is an investigative report with various data and analysis on the unprecedented 19-day strike of tea workers in August 2022 for demanding wages and fair wages.
Other discussants at the event included United News of Bangladesh (UNB) Editor Farid Hossain, Dhaka University (DU) Department of Economics Professor Dr MM Akash, DU Department of Women and Gender Studies Professor Dr Sanzida Akhter, Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua, representatives of tea workers, trade union leaders, distinguished economists, educationists, and human rights activists.
