Vol. 13 No. 2 (2025)
Journal Space and Culture, India

Perspective

Exploring the Dynamics of Trade Unionism in the Tea Industry: Perspectives from Bangladesh

Published 2025-09-25

  • Mohammad Fakhrus Salam

Mohammad Fakhrus Salam
Associate Professor, Department of Political Studies, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh

Abstract

Tea garden labourers in Bangladesh constitute a highly marginalised community, characterised by limited access to educational opportunities for their children and heightened vulnerability to severe health risks. This research employs qualitative descriptive analysis to examine the dynamics of unions within the tea sector in Sylhet, with a focus on issues such as health, education, bargaining capabilities, gender representation, and access to social services. The study highlights a multifaceted scenario where internal fragmentation and collaboration challenges often hinder unions from effectively advocating for employees’ interests. Overall, the research underscores the crucial role of labour unions in promoting the rights and well-being of tea workers. By fostering a deeper understanding of these dynamics, stakeholders have the potential to collaborate more effectively to establish a more equitable and supportive environment for tea workers in the Sylhet region.

Keywords

Tea Industry, Trade Unionism, Exploitation, Tea Labour, Collective Bargaining, Sylhet Region, Bangladesh

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Author Biography

Mohammad Fakhrus Salam

Dr. Mohammad Fakhrus Salam is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Studies at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Sylhet, Bangladesh. His academic work centres on environmental politics, political theory, and governance in South Asia. Dr. Salam’s research takes an interdisciplinary approach, with a strong emphasis on the intersection of socio-political structures and ecological systems.
He has recently authored “Lives and Livelihoods: How Socio-Economic Realities Shape Community Participation in Managing Tanguar Haor Wetlands”, which investigates environmental justice and participatory governance in Bangladesh's Haor region. Another recent publication, “Embracing Opportunities: Bangladesh’s Foreign Policy Amid Geo-Political Challenges”, appeared in the Malaysian Journal of International Relations (MJIR) and offers a critical analysis of Bangladesh’s strategic positioning in the evolving Indo-Pacific landscape.
Dr. Salam continues to contribute to national and international scholarship on sustainable development, regional geopolitics, and community-centred policy design.

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