Protest note, our reply

Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority has sent the following protest note to a news item titled "16,000 tea workers face uncertainty" published on 20 December, 2015. It alleged that while publishing this news item, no serious attention was given to the urgency and necessity of setting up Economic Zones to bring about positive change and development in the poorer and less developed areas of the country.

The protest note follows:

"We would like to bring to your notice that Hon'ble Prime Minister has instructed Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) to set up Economic Zones in Government khas lands so that no people are displaced from their habitats as well as from their agricultural lands and the other lands of their economic benefits. Keeping this instruction in view, BEZA has taken initiative to setup economic zone in Habiganj also. As regards your report, we would like to mention that in line with the people's aspiration of that area, in the Deputy Commissioner's Conference held on 8 July 2014, the following proposal was discussed.:

"Considering the availability of gas in Habiganj, a lot of industries have been set up there. If government takes initiative to set up one Export Processing Zone in Habiganj, a lot of export oriented industries will be established there that would help in reducing unemployment and achieving economic growth". One the basis of that proposal Hon'ble Prime Minister instructed all concerned to take necessary steps after thorough examination of the proposal.

As per the condition of land acquisition, since no tea was planted in 511.85 acres of land in the Chandpur Tea Garden by the Duncun Brothers, the Ministry of land has cancelled the lease deed and handed over the land to BEZA to set up economic zone for generating more employment in the area. As the local people of Habigonj has been demanding for setting up an economic zone for long and inline with their aspirations, without hampering the interest of the tea garden workers and also of the tea garden owner, the government has taken initiatives to setup Economic Zone there.

Only 1692 workers are working in the Chandpur Tea garden not 16.000, Moreover, during discussion with the tea garden workers, local people and leaders, it was assured that Economic Zones Authority would ensure their housing, employment and health facilities as well as education and skill development for their kids.

The Habigonj Economic Zone will also be established to reduce poverty, hunger, unemployment etc, from that area and thereby ensure sustainable development and also will bring more foreign investment, generating more employment, alleviating poverty and achieving higher growth rate in Bangladesh.

OUR REPLY

First of all, our report focused on the uncertain future of the tea workers who till the land where the SEZ will be set up. We have clearly mentioned that they have no legal right over the land which they have been using for generations. Any development initiative should be inclusive and address the concern of the disadvantaged group. The tea workers, mostly illiterate and the most backward ethnic group doing the same profession for generations, feel that they will not be benefitted and rather negatively affected as they lack the skill and mindset to work in modern industrial environment. This is why the tea workers have started this movement against the takeover of the land. Our report was in no way intended to undermine any development initiative, rather it was aimed at helping the project by trying to convince the authorities that it should be an inclusive process with special care to the disadvantaged. Unfortunately, BEPZA has not been able to grasp the essence of the report. About the number, BEPZA has only mentioned the workers of Chandpur garden. Over 1,000 families 'own' the land who have 'leased' them to numerous others in informal way. Thus the number of works actually living off the land is much greater than Bepza thinks. According to the Chandpur-Begumkhan Bhumi Rakkha Committee, 1,664 permanent workers of Chnadpur, BEgumkhan, Joal Bhanga and Ramganga tea gardens, arund 5,000 temporary workers and 10,000 seasonal workers till this land and eke out a living.