PM launches programme to give 20,000 raincoats to Sylhet tea workers

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has launched a programme to distribute 20,000 raincoats among tea garden workers in Sylhet division.

The Ministry of Social Welfare has taken the initiative with support from the corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds of private companies.

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The prime minister launched the programme at his office in the Secretariat this afternoon, handing out raincoats to 10 tea workers. He also asked about their well-being, according to the PMO’s press release.

The programme has been taken to protect workers at tea gardens in Sylhet, Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts during bad weather and to create a safe working environment for them.

A total of 20,000 raincoats will be distributed under the initiative. Of them, the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) will provide 10,000 raincoats, while Chevron Bangladesh will provide 5,000 and Pandughar Group 5,000.

Speaking at the event, PM Tarique Rahman said many big problems can be solved if everyone in society contributes a little. Assuring government support for private-sector humanitarian and social initiatives, he said the government stands beside those who want to do such work.

Private sector representatives at the event said businesses have a social responsibility not only to pursue profit, but also to contribute to the welfare of disadvantaged and working people.

On behalf of the tea workers, gratitude was expressed to the prime minister, the government and the organisations providing the raincoats.

The workers present at the event included Shanti Uria of Kalighat Tea Garden in Sreemangal of Moulvibazar; Munni Kurmi of Makrichhara Tea Garden; Jyotsna Akter of Bharaura Tea Garden; Rina Tanti and Shashika Banerjee of Rajghat Tea Garden; Santuki Roy of Mazdihi Tea Garden; Kabita Karmakar of Fulbari Tea Garden in Kamalganj; Sujata Biswas of Madhabpur Tea Garden; Rita Rani Bauri of Uttar Alinagar; and Afkhatun Nahar of Patrakhola Tea Garden.

Santuki Roy of Mazdihi Tea Garden presented tea leaves to the prime minister on behalf of the tea workers.

Minister AZM Zahid Hossain, Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury, State Minister Farzana Sharmin, and several lawmakers from Sylhet division were present at the event.

Representatives of the private sector included BAPI Senior Vice-President Mosaddek Hossain, Square Pharmaceuticals Managing Director Tapan Chowdhury; Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Limited’s Managing Director & CEO Simeen Rahman; BAPI Executive Director Md Saiful Islam; Chevron Bangladesh Corporate Affairs Director Muhammad Imrul Kabir, Operations Director Ashik Shehzad Rahman, Head of Community Engagement AKM Arif Akhter; and Pandughar Group’s Group Head of HR & Corporate Affairs Golam Habib.