Affected farmers form human chain over factory closure

Affected farmers form human chain over factory closure

BAT Bangladesh major tobacco processing factory in Kushtia, the Green Leaf Threshing Plant (GLTP) in Kushtia, has remained shut for 21 days in a row due to ongoing worker unrest. In response, local tobacco farmers organized a human chain in Kushtia, Meherpur & Jhenaidah urging cooperation from authorities and all relevant stakeholders for an open dialogue and peaceful resolution to immediately reopen the factory.
Nearly 50,000 farmers in Kushtia and neighboring regions are contracted with BAT Bangladesh to cultivate tobacco. But even though the tobacco season has started and harvesting season is already underway, the prolonged closure of the factory has left them in deep uncertainty. The farmers fear that if their tobacco leaves are not processed in time, the quality will deteriorate, rendering the crops unsellable and pushing them into severe financial distress.
Earlier today, farmers gathered in Shehala Bot Tola Mor, Daulatpur; Zia Road & Gobindopur Road, Talbaria, Mirpur, Kushtia and Amdah, Chakshamnagar, Meherpur from 1.30PM onwards. Farmers also gathered in front of DC office in Jhenaidah.