Alipurduar, Sept. 7 -- The state Labour Department has directed tea garden owners across North Bengal to pay a 20 per cent bonus to workers ahead of Durga Puja, bringing relief and cheer to thousands of workers in the Hills, Terai and Dooars.
The directive comes at a difficult time for the tea industry, with planters warning of mounting financial losses amid a prolonged downturn. Auction prices have remained subdued, demand has weakened and several tea estates are reportedly struggling with rising production costs.
The bonus was expected to be finalised through bilateral negotiations between tea garden owners and workers' unions this year. The unions had already put forward their demand for a 20 percent bonus.
However, before a bilateral meeting could be held, the Additional Labour Commissioner of the state Labour Department issued the directive on Monday, effectively settling the bonus at 20 per cent.
The directive further states that all tea garden owners must complete the payment process by October 5.
Alipurduar BJP MP Manoj Tigga, a senior leader of the BJP-affiliated tea workers' union, welcomed the decision.
"Following the government directive, there is no longer any need for a bilateral meeting. Considering the interests of tea garden workers, the government has issued an order to provide them with a 20 per cent bonus for Puja this year. Every worker is happy with the decision. We thank the government for taking this decision," Tigga said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.