Darjeeling, Aug. 4 -- The 102-day relay hunger strike at Longview Tea Estate in Kurseong subdivision was finally called off after the management paid around Rs 5.9 crore in outstanding dues, including provident fund (PF), wages and salaries.
The workers, under the aegis of the Hill Plantation Employees Union (HPEU), had launched a series of agitations after the management allegedly failed to pay statutory dues, including provident fund (Rs 12 crore), gratuity (around Rs 84 lakh), leave travel allowance (Rs 19 lakh), arrears (Rs 16 lakh), outstanding wages and other benefits. The estate is owned by Siri Longview Tea and Agro Limited, with Govind Garg as its proprietor. Garg was arrested on July 26 following a complaint lodged by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). His bail plea was again rejected on Monday.
"Following an order of the Calcutta High Court, the management paid nearly Rs 5.9 crore, including around Rs 3.32 crore in PF deducted from workers during the period of agitation, Rs 1 crore deducted from workers between 2014 and 2025, Rs 31 lakh as the employer's share of PF, and Rs 1.28 crore towards pending salaries and wages," said Sumendra Tamang of the HPEU.
Tamang added that although the hunger strike has been withdrawn, the agitation will continue until the employer's remaining PF contribution, gratuity, leave travel allowance and arrears are paid.
"Out of 76 retired workers, 26 have already died without receiving their dues. We will also pressurise the Labour Department to ensure these payments are made," he said.
Longview is one of the largest tea estates in Darjeeling, with a plantation area of 597 hectares and a workforce of 1,241 workers. Govind Garg was arrested in Kolkata and brought to Kurseong after the EPFO lodged an FIR at the Garidhura police outpost under Kurseong Police Station on July 22. The EPFO complaint followed representations made by the HPEU.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.