Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday launched a programme to distribute 20,000 raincoats among tea workers in Sylhet Division with support from the corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds of private-sector companies.

The prime minister handed over raincoats to 10 tea workers at his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat in the capital at noon and enquired about their wellbeing.

The initiative, taken by the Ministry of Social Welfare, aims to protect tea workers from adverse weather conditions and ensure a safer working environment in tea gardens in Sylhet, Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts.

Under the programme, a total of 20,000 raincoats will be distributed. The Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) will provide 10,000 raincoats, while Chevron Bangladesh and Pandughar Group will provide 5,000 each.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said many major problems could be solved if everyone contributed in small ways.

Assuring private-sector companies of government support for humanitarian and social initiatives, he said the government would stand by those willing to undertake such programmes and provide necessary assistance.

Representatives of the private sector said contributing to the welfare of disadvantaged and working people alongside business activities was part of their social responsibility.

They expressed interest in continuing to work with the government on similar initiatives to improve the living standards and working conditions of tea workers and other marginalised communities.

Representatives of the tea workers expressed gratitude to the prime minister, the government and the companies providing the raincoats.

The 10 tea workers present at the programme were Shanti Uria of Kalighat Tea Garden, Munni Kurmi of Makricherra Tea Garden, Jyotsna Akhter of Bhadraura Tea Garden, Rina Tanti and Shashika Banerjee of Rajghat Tea Garden, Santuki Roy of Mazdihi Tea Garden, Kabita Karmakar of Phulbari Tea Garden in Kamalganj, Sujata Biswas of Madhabpur Tea Garden, Rita Rani Bauri of Uttar Alinagar Tea Garden and Afkhatun Nahar of Patrokhola Tea Garden.

Santuki Roy of Mazdihi Tea Garden presented tea leaves to the prime minister on behalf of the tea workers.

Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, Commerce, Industries and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury and State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin, among others, were present at the programme.