An Adrift Community in Mainstream Bangladesh: Case of Tea Workers

Abstract

This research was conducted to analyze the status of tea workers of selected areas of Bangladesh. Primary data were collected through direct interview and secondary data were also collected from different sources. A total of 100 tea workers were randomly selected from Ootterbhag and Indanugger tea estate of Moulvibazar. Descriptive statistics and functional analyses were employed to achieve the objectives of the research. Risk facing index, food security index, food consumption score were calculated and binary logistic regression were carried out to identify the factors affecting food security status. The study revealed that the life of tea workers in selected areas are vulnerable. Wages are not adequate to meet basic needs and the wage raises are not keeping pace with the cost of living. Considering 4.51 average family member the respondent family household is far below the international poverty line (1.90 US$). It was observed from the analysis that 52% sample respondents were illiterate. However, the maximum respondents also agreed that they faced various psychological, mechanical and biological hazards. Household calorie availability or consumption behavior was revealed by food consumption score, which exemplified that 49% respondents are in borderline food consumption pattern while 5% and 46% are in poor and acceptable level respectively. The overall average daily per capita calorie intake by tea workers was observed to be 2076.3996 kilo calorie, which is lower than the national average of Bangladesh. Only 35% household were food secure based on calorie intake.  Household was food insecure if number of dependent persons in family increases; food secure with increase in household monthly income; and household food security decreases with increase in household size.