Editorial

With the ongoing load-shedding situation and the extreme heat that we have been experiencing for the past month or so, I finally caught a nasty cold last week. The heat, coupled with my already weak immune system made for the perfect recipe for this disaster. However, I found solace in my hearty bowls of tom yum soup and warm cups of ginger lemon tea.

Unfortunately, the tea that offered me a little piece of heaven, is the source of misery and exploitation for the many tea workers who get paid Tk. 120 or less for an entire day's work. Work they have to show up for, come rain or shine. Even with the kind of heat that managed to make me sick, regardless of my privilege that allows me to seek shelter from it for the most part.

Finding comfort in the fruit of exploited labour is my privilege, as it is for many of us. I recognise it. But to sit in my air conditioned work station and call the living conditions for all the people of our country heavenly, would be outrageous. Or would it?