On July 6, 2021, the ILO, UNICEF, UNFPA, and UN Women held a virtual stakeholders’ dialogue to highlight the living conditions of tea garden workers and their families during the Covid-19 pandemic as part of the UN SDG joint program ‘Enhancing social protection for female tea garden workers and their families in Sylhet division.’
The seminar focused on the health safety of female employees and children, the Covid 19 test-treatment facility and awareness, providing a safe working environment, and women empowerment. More public-private initiatives were also stressed in order to better include tea workers and their families in social safety net services.
The contribution of women workers in the tea industry and the capacity development of the trade union to claim their rights to a decent work environment, social protection, access to information, and participation in the decision-making process were highlighted in the welcome speech by George Faller, Office in Charge of the International Labor Organization (ILO Bangladesh).
However, because to the COVID-19 epidemic, social and economic ramifications are radically altering the trajectory toward reaching the Sustainable Development Goals. Without immediate socioeconomic measures, the suffering will worsen, putting lives and livelihoods in jeopardy in the coming years. To mitigate the consequences, he suggests that government agencies expand their social safety net coverage, focusing on tea garden communities that are eligible for benefits.
The dialogue’s main focus was on the impact of COVID-19 on the lives and livelihoods of tea garden workers and their families, the Joint Programme’s experience reacting to COVID-19-induced infection preventive measures, and the good practices used by BTA, BCSU, and the government. Community meetings were held by the Joint Program to spread information about the COVID-19. Women, on the other hand, are substantially less likely than men to attend community meetings and participate in decision-making processes. Domestic violence against women has also escalated as a result of the pandemic.
During COVID-19, family members of tea workers who work outside of the tea garden have been seriously impacted. The majority of them have lost their employment as a result of the lockdown. Social security programs are critical to averting this economic disaster in low-wage employees’ lives. Efforts have been made to ameliorate the living conditions of this underserved neighborhood. This comprises data collecting and integration in the development of policies. The Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet, M Kazi Emdadul Islam, underlined the gaps in prior interventions and underscored the importance of an evidence-based inclusive development approach. It is critical to estimate the need of tea workers by gathering data at the field level, so that different government bodies can establish and implement development strategies.
Dr. Chowdhury Jalal Uddin Murshed, Civil Surgeons of Moulvibazar, stated that because to a lack of manpower and access facilities in the gardens, information on maternity and child health services is not readily available to tea workers. He noted the Joint Program’s initiative to ensure access to these healthcare-related services and asked for other stakeholders’ assistance as well.
Speakers also suggested that, with the help of the Department of National Social Services and the Department of Youth, more possibilities for job skill training for young family members of tea workers be made available. These training activities will result in the creation of new jobs, increased job efficiency, and economic growth. Furthermore, the government may establish specific allowances and plans for those who lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic. In light of the current scenario, there is a need to raise Covid-19 awareness among workers as well. Furthermore, tea garden owners play a critical role in providing a safe working environment. Increases in pay, expanded housing facilities, and other social advantages, according to the panelists, would all help to boost tea workers’ productivity.
The General Secretary of Bangladesh Cha Sramik Union, Ram Bhajan Kairi, has urged the government to expand COVID-19 testing, assure vaccination for all employees, and provide medical treatment to affected tea workers and their families.
Representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Civil Surgeons from Sylhet and Moulvibazar districts, government officials from the Departments of Social Services, Youth, Cooperative, Labor, and Inspection for Factories and Establishments, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Moulvibazar District, and Bangladesh Tea Association representatives
