Workers at four tea gardens in Bangladesh's Habiganj district began an indefinite strike on Monday, saying a deal to clear months of wage arrears was never honored.

The strike covers Deundi, Lalchan, and Mritinga tea gardens in Chunarughat upazila and Noapara tea garden in Madhabpur upazila, all operated by the same company, according to Banglamirror News and Jago News 24. Workers said they had gone several weeks without their regular weekly wages, leaving roughly 5,000 workers and their families in financial distress.

Apan Santal, president of Deundi Tea Garden's Panchayat Committee, said workers under the Deundi company have long been denied basic entitlements, alleging that management has offered only assurances without concrete action since 2022. He said the strike would continue until a seven-point demand is met, covering unpaid wages, rations, festival bonuses, provident fund arrears, medical care, and permanent housing.

A tripartite meeting on May 6 at the Divisional Labour Office in Sreemangal, bringing together garden management, workers, and labour officials, had reached an agreement to promptly clear outstanding dues and repair worker housing before the monsoon. Workers said the company did not follow through, prompting the walkout.

Sources: Banglamirror News, Indefinite strike begins at 4 Habiganj tea gardens over wage arrears; Jago News 24, Habiganj tea workers strike demanding unpaid wages.