The future of 146 seasonal workers working in British American Tobacco (BAT) Kushtia Leaf Factory is uncertain. For 12 long years, they have been deprived of various benefits of company and labor laws. In the end, the workers were forced to live with their families on a daily basis to get their fair dues.
Meanwhile, on July 4, 2023, the affected workers have sent a petition to the Minister of State for Labor and Employment regarding “resolving the grievances of 146 seasonal workers who have been working for 12 years in the British American Tobacco Kushtia Factory for their just demands”. A copy of this application has been given to: Member of Parliament for Kushtia-3 (Sadar) Constituency and Joint General Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League Mahabub Ul Alam Hanif, Member of Parliament for Kushtia-2 (Mirpur-Bheramara) Constituency Hasanul Haque Inu, Secretary of the Ministry of Labor and Employment, Director of Labor, Department of Labor , Director General (Additional Secretary) Bangladesh Sramik Kalyan Foundation, Chief Inspector of Factories and Establishments Inspection Directorate, Deputy Commissioner of Kushtia District, Inspector of Factories and Establishments Inspection Directorate Khulna and Deputy Inspector General of Kushtia, MD of British American Tobacco Bangladesh, Head of HR , Head of Leaf & Kushtia Plant Manager, British American Tobacco Bangladesh Co. Ltd. Labor/Employees Union Central Committee President/General Secretary and Executive President/Secretary of Kushtia Unit of the same labor organization. Still, the solution was far from assured. However, a source claimed that Kushtia Sadar Constituency Member of Parliament Mahabub Ul Alam Hanif has agreed to meet them directly following the workers’ plea.
Last Monday evening 10th July 2023, the affected workers have sent an application to the local and national media editor/district representative at the Kushtia district level seeking neutral and leading role of the media for the sake of the workers in order to resolve the anger caused by the fair demand. In the petition they mentioned-“We 146 seasonal workers are directly involved in tobacco processing in Kushtia Leaf Factory in 2012/2013 after attending written and oral examination under the company and passing. I am deprived. One of these is employment letter, provident fund, gratuity, insurance, restoration of voting rights, company profit. It is to be noted that we 146 seasonal workers who were replaced by them used to enjoy all the above benefits.
The aggrieved workers also mentioned – for 12 years we have been informing the CBA leaders in writing and verbally for the realization of the above mentioned demands. But CBA leaders have always been beholden to company managers for their own interests, including the recruitment trade. During the company’s annual profit distribution in 2013, the board of trustees of the company declared a portion of the profit including the 116 seasonal workers hired in 2012. Golam Rasul Bhadu, the elected president of Vadu-Minu Parishad, was the chairman of the trustee board at that time. But because of the election that year, 116 workers were deprived of the profits of the company due to the objection of the opposition party. Since then, we 146 seasonal workers became vocal in demanding a share in the company’s profits. But ignoring our fair demand, during the company’s annual profit distribution in 2015, as per the decision of the company’s board of trustees meeting, more than 500 officers and employees of the company’s managers were included in the company’s profit. As a result, 146 seasonal workers pent up anger and protested. In view of this, in the 2018 CBA elections, the collusion of CBA and management prevented 146 seasonal workers from exercising their right to vote, which is still ongoing. But in 2013 and 2015 CBA elections, we used 146 seasonal workers votes. There has already been frustration and anger among all the workers over the fulfillment of various demands.
As a result of which the worker may appear dissatisfied at any moment. Attempts were made to contact the senior officials of British American Tobacco Bangladesh Kushtia regarding the matter but it was not possible.
