Govt to mend tea workers’ broken roofs with surplus tea leaves

In the seventh hour of sitting in a traffic jam on the country's biggest thoroughfare, Chapasthan Commerce Minister Baki Gunchhi held an impromptu press conference for around 30 motorcyclists who had congregated around the minister's BMW over the last five hours. 

"You just have to see the development to believe it," he said, although no one had asked a question. "So many cars! That just tells me how much citizens' spending powers have grown. We can't  import the cars fast enough. That's  why the finance minister said we will be making our own cars and exporting them.

"On the other hand, we are producing more tea than we export. What does that point to? More and more people are drinking tea. Why? Development. Progress. With the increase in local demand for tea, everyone in that industry will be benefited."

At that point, one of the motorcyclists (who happened to be a journalist because there is one every 30 motorcycles) asked how it would benefit tea garden workers, many of whom were living in dilapidated sheds in tea gardens.

"Oh, I see you read the paper. Well, development is the answer there too. We already have plans for it. Tea production is so good now, that it even exceeds local demand. So, we will repair the roofs of tea workers' houses with surplus tea leaves. Like I said, increase in spending power benefits all," he shouted over an ambulance siren that had been blaring for the last three hours.

At this point, the journalist asked why tea workers' salaries are not increased from the current Tk 120 a day, since they are contributing to increased production and because the raise would also help them mend their own houses.

"Yes, yes... Oh look, the cars are moving, great talking to you fine folks," the minister said and rolled up his window, then sat inside the stationary car for three more hours till the jam finally eased.