ঢাকামঙ্গলবার , ১১ অগাস্ট ২০২৬
Field technicians and office staff of British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB) and its contractor MSM Logistics have accused the companies of worker repression, job insecurity, retaliatory transfers, and harassment. They have demanded direct permanent employment with BATB itself. Workers across eight leaf regions of the country are observing work stoppages to press their demands and have warned of tougher action if their calls are not met.
The allegations and demands were raised at a press conference held on Monday (10 August) at the Kushtia Press Club by leaders of the BATB Field Technician and Office Staff Workers’ Welfare Union.
In a written statement, the workers said that field technicians and office staff at all levels in the Kushtia, Rangpur, Manikganj, Allardarga, Chechua, Meherpur, Jhenaidah, Chattogram North, and Chattogram South leaf regions are observing the work stoppage in solidarity.
Workers stated that they submitted written applications to the regional managers of each region on 7 June. Later, on 18 June, they filed a written application at the Labour Building of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments in Dhaka. Copies were submitted on 21 June to the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments in Kushtia, as well as to the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of Kushtia.
According to the written statement, the workers have been continuously associated with BATB for the past 16 years since 2010, performing a range of year-round duties. These include selecting tobacco farmers, signing contracts with them, distributing seeds, preparing seedbeds, caring for and monitoring seedlings, distributing fertiliser and pesticides, disbursing cash loans, planting and tending tobacco, constructing barns and sheds, collecting data through company apps (Bijoy Apps, Batleaf Apps, and Agri 360), and providing field-level guidance.
They also play a key role in tobacco leaf collection, curing, grading, bale preparation and monitoring, transportation, TP issuance and loan recovery, and delivering tobacco to BATB warehouses. As part of environmental and climate conservation efforts, they have distributed green manure and tree saplings to farmers and participated in tree-plantation programmes.
The workers alleged that the positions they have held for many years were previously filled by the company’s permanent staff. Later, in pursuit of higher profits, BATB brought these permanent positions under a contractual or outsourcing system. They claimed that while organisational structures or organograms require mandatory approval in various institutions across the country, BATB has no such approved organisational structure.
They further alleged that despite working for 16 years, they have been denied fair benefits, the statutory 5% annual profit share or Workers’ Profit Participation Fund (WPPF) under labour law, and minimum job security.
In support of their demand for permanent employment, human chains and protest programmes were held on 21 July at the Allardarga leaf region and on 22 July at the Rangpur leaf region, the press conference was told.
Following the workers’ written applications, a high-level hearing was held on 3 August at the office of the Divisional Commissioner of Rangpur. Present at the hearing, in the presence of the Divisional Commissioner, were BATB’s DLM, regional managers (RMs) and other senior officials along with their lawyers, as well as the chairman and directors of MSM Logistics, according to the workers.
The workers claimed that after they presented legal arguments, the management side ultimately acknowledged that if the law permits or if the workers are entitled to legal rights, they would be made permanent.
In support of their demands, the workers cited Rule 16(5) of the Bangladesh Labour Rules, 2015, and Rule 18(2) of the Bangladesh Labour Rules (Amended 2022).
They argued that under Rule 16(5), the principal establishment cannot appoint workers through a contractor or outsourcing agency to any post in its approved permanent workforce structure. According to the interpretation of Rule 18(2), any work that continues uninterruptedly for more than 180 consecutive days in an establishment, in keeping with the nature of the establishment, is to be regarded as core or permanent work. The workers maintained that their work continues uninterrupted throughout all 12 months of the year.
However, the workers alleged that retaliatory behaviour began immediately after the hearing. They claimed that 20 top leaders and active members of the union have been transferred to distant regions with the aim of breaking the morale of the movement. They described this as an “unfair labour practice” under Section 195(g) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006.
They also alleged that a harassing general diary (GD) has been filed at Mirpur police station against 38 BATB field technicians.
In protest against these threats, intimidation, and transfers, the workers said they observed a peaceful work stoppage for a total of 17 days—seven days in the first phase from 20 July and 10 days in the second phase. As no effective solution was forthcoming from the authorities, they have been observing a third phase of full and all-out peaceful work stoppage for a further 10 days starting from 6 August.
At the press conference, the workers stated that they no longer wish to fall into the assurances or legal traps of any contractor or intermediary organisation. Their sole demand is that they be freed from the contract system and given direct permanent employment with BATB. At the same time, they demanded an end to dismissals, non-payment of wages, and various forms of harassing threats and intimidation.
They warned that if their demands are not met during the ongoing work stoppage, they will be forced to move to stricter and final programmes, including blockades across all regions of the country. Any loss or damage caused to tobacco fields as a result of such programmes, they said, would have to be borne by BATB management.
The press conference called for the urgent and humanitarian intervention of the Prime Minister, the Labour Minister, the Labour Secretary, and the Deputy Commissioner of Kushtia.
Leaders of the BATB Field Technician and Office Staff Workers’ Welfare Union also appealed to the media to stand by the side of truth and justice in the movement for the rights of workers across the eight leaf regions.
Among those present at the press conference were the organisation’s central president Ariful Islam, general secretary Samiul Islam, joint general secretary Palash, member Gias Uddin, and other members.
Also present were Abdur Razzak Bachchu, president of the Kushtia Journalists’ Union (KUJ); Mojibul Sheikh, former general secretary of the Kushtia Press Club and vice-president of the Kushtia Journalists’ Union (KUJ); office secretary SM Mahfuzur Rahman; and journalists from various print and electronic media working in the district.
