2 days ago
Tea Workers Block NH17 Over Unpaid Bonus and Wages
Tea workers in the Dooars are asking for bonuses and wages they say they are owed.
On Wednesday, workers at Bagrakote tea estate blocked a highway to press their demand.
The protest stopped traffic for about two and a half hours.
The estate’s manager promised in writing that the bonus would be paid by October 13.
Workers ended the blockade after the promise was put on the notice board.
Workers at several other tea estates also protested.
The state labour department says estates must pay a 20 percent bonus by October 5.
A union leader said bonuses had been paid in 170 of the 285 gardens in the Dooars.
Workers at Bagrakote tea estate blocked NH17 at Meena More on Wednesday over bonus and unpaid wages.
The blockade lasted about two and a half hours and ended after management promised in writing to pay the bonus by October 13.
Workers said they were still owed 10 percent of last year’s bonus and other dues.
Protests over bonuses and outstanding wages also took place at tea estates in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts.
The state labour department stipulates a 20 percent bonus by October 5; a union chairman said payments had reached 170 of 285 Dooars tea gardens.
- Who
- Workers at Bagrakote tea estate, along with workers at other tea estates in the Dooars.
- What
- Workers protested over unpaid bonuses and outstanding wages; Bagrakote workers blocked NH17.
- Where
- Meena More on NH17 in Malbazar subdivision, Jalpaiguri district, and other tea estates in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts.
- When
- The Bagrakote blockade took place on Wednesday; related protests were reported on Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Why
- Workers demanded payment of bonuses and outstanding wages, including a claimed unpaid portion of last year’s bonus.
Workers’ Demands
Management and Union Responses
Unpaid bonus and wages
Workers’ Demands
Workers said bonuses and outstanding wages remained unpaid, including 10 percent of last year’s bonus at Bagrakote.
Management and Union Responses
Bagrakote management gave a written assurance that the bonus would be disbursed by October 13.
What workers should do next
Workers’ Demands
A Bagrakote trade union leader said workers would launch a larger movement if the bonus was not paid by October 13.
Management and Union Responses
Bharatiya Tea Workers’ Union chairman Manoj Tigga urged workers to be patient and said bonuses would be paid in the remaining gardens before Durga Puja.
Key facts
- Bagrakote blockade
- Lasted around two and a half hours.
- Management assurance
- Written commitment to disburse the bonus by October 13.
- Workers’ allegation
- Bagrakote workers said 10 percent of last year’s bonus and other dues remained unpaid.
- State labour department stipulation
- Tea estates must pay a 20 percent bonus by October 5.
- Alipurduar estates
- Six of 61 tea estates were closed; 30 of the 55 operational gardens had paid the bonus, according to a source.
- Dooars bonus payments
- Manoj Tigga said bonuses had been paid in 170 of 285 tea gardens.
Quotes
A Bagrakote tea estate worker
A worker at Bagrakote tea estate explaining the protest.
“While bonus has already been paid in most of the tea estates, the management of our garden has not yet announced any payment schedule. That is why we have launched the protest.”
telegraphindia.com
“Of the 285 tea gardens in the Dooars, bonus has been paid in 170 gardens. In the remaining gardens, it will be paid before Durga Puja.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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