The orientation meeting with Juri Valley committee leadership took place on May 9, 2023, aiming to orient the project goals, objectives, and activities and make recommendations from the valley-level leadership of Bangladesh Cha Sramik Union to accelerate the project interventions in the Juri Valley. Sri Komol Chandra Bunarji, president of Juri Valley, presided over the orientation meeting, while Sri Ratan Kumar Pal, General secretary of Juri Valley, moderated the program.

At the start of the program, Sri Komol Chandra Bunarji, president of Juri Valley, welcomed participants and guests to the meeting. He said. It is our pleasure that BILS has been implementing a project with the support of OXFAM in Bangladesh and the European Union to empower women workers in the tea garden sector in Juri, Longla, Monodholai, and Balishira Valley. He requested the leadership of the meeting’s active participation in a more efficient implementation of the project activities.

After the introductory speech of the chair, Ratan Kumar Pal, General Secretary of the Valley and moderator of the program, requested that participants introduce themselves one by one. After the introduction, the moderator asked Monirul Kobir to outline the event objectives and the details of the project activities in the meeting. Monirul Kobir mentioned the project title, objective, activities, and ultimate goal of the intervention.

Subsequently, Srimoti Bouri, Vice President of the Juri Valley, started her speech as a designated discussion. We want our fair rights, we want to reach our destination, and we will stand up for the Tea Garden workers with our own skill and knowledge, she said in her speech at the meeting. She mentioned we never fall again into inequality; rather, we go forward.

Then Rambhajon Koiri, a Prominent Tea worker Leader, former General Secretary and Executive Advisor of Bangladesh Cha Sramik Union, and Upazila Vice Chairman of Komol Gonj Upazila, said, BILS has been working for Tea Garden Workers with transparency. BILS works to create awareness and ensure the rights of the tea garden workers. He mentioned, Do earn the knowledge for the struggle and survival.

Afterward, in the open discussion session, Sumon Ghosh, President, Ratna Tea Garden, said that Women tea garden workers are very vulnerable groups and are deprived of many basic rights due to their unconsciousness. He mentioned that BILS intervention will help the women tea garden workers build their capacity for future leadership, creating awareness, and determination to achieve their rights.

Sojal Bauri, advisor to the Juri Valley Committee, said we need more participation of women tea garden workers in training, seminars, and other interventions that BILS will be doing in the Juri Valley. Mosber Ali, President of Shilura Tea Garden, mentioned that I recognize the women workers’ contribution to the garden because they are fulfilling their responsibility through hard work. The women tea garden workers start their work at 8 a.m. and close at 6 to 7 p.m. daily, he briefed. Mohon Rickmun, President, Pathalia Tea Garden, requested to ensure the inclusion of women leaders of the panchayat committee in the BILS training program in the valley.

After the open discussion, the chair of the program said, We are very happy for your spontaneous participation and have provided some significant recommendations that will ensure the efficiency of our project intervention. He wishes for all kinds of support for the implementation of the project activities and closes the event by giving thanks again to all.