The closing ceremony of the Leadership Development of Tea Garden Women Workers on Their Rights project, focused on women tea workers, was held today. The event, organized by the Ethnic Community Development Organization (ECDO), took place on Friday (August 1) at the hall of Nirvana Inn Hotel in Mirzajangal, Sylhet city, where women tea workers expressed their views.

During the ceremony, Geeta Kurmi from Daldali Tea Garden said, “I’ve worked in the tea garden for years, but I didn’t know there were laws for us. Beyond wages, I was unaware of our legal rights. We thought the lack of medical facilities in the garden was a problem, or that not getting good food was due to our financial struggles. But through ECDO, we learned these are not just problems—they are our rights. It’s the state’s responsibility to ensure we understand these rights.”

Like Geeta Kurmi, others who spoke about becoming aware of their rights included Ganga Das, Bharati Das, Binata Das from Keoachhara Tea Garden; Seema Munda, Rita Das, Harita Das, Sandhya Das, Usha Mund from Daldali Tea Garden; and Anamika Nayek, Khushmoni Das, Moni Bauri, Kusum Bhaumik, and Janaki Kalendi from Hiluachhara Tea Garden.

The organizers stated that the Leadership Development of Tea Garden Women Workers on Their Rights project began in July 2024. During this period, 720 members across 36 groups in three tea gardens (Daldali, Keoachhara, and Hiluachhara) received leadership training. Additionally, connections were established with various government and non-government service organizations through meetings and seminars. Funded by the European Union and Oxfam, the closing ceremony saw the participation of 95 tea workers.

Chaired by ECDO’s Executive Director Lakshmikanta Singh, the ceremony’s chief guest was ECDO President Minati Devi. Moderated by ECDO Project Coordinator Momtahinnur Rahman Chowdhury, the event was attended by guests including ECDO Vice-President Shankar Singh, Treasurer Yogeshwar Singh, General Secretary of Sylhet Women’s Journalist Club Shakila Bobi, President of *Amra Parbo (Women and Adolescents)* Sandhya Rani Bhaumik, and General Secretary Baishakhi Raotia.

The day-long closing ceremony featured group activities, open discussions, a discussion session, and a performance of the drama The Blue Pain of Green Trees.

Chief guest Minati Devi, ECDO President, stated, “The goal of this project was to empower women tea workers to lead, build a strong network of female leaders, and raise awareness about their legal rights, including labor laws, wages, and suitable workplaces. We have worked to develop the leadership skills of women tea workers. However, as they belong to a marginalized community, they are often fighting for minimum wages. Long-term planning is needed to develop their leadership further. We hope to continue working with tea workers in the future.”