Duncans statement

TT, Calcutta, Nov. 27: Duncans Industries today said "all sections of workmen at the Nagaisuree tea garden are being paid their full entitlement of wages since August 1, 2015".

The company statement came in response to a report in The Telegraph on Friday that mentioned Nagaisuree was among the Duncans gardens where wages have not been paid and rations have been irregular for the past eight months.

The Duncans statement added: "There is, however, an issue under negotiation with the union regarding the implementation of new wage rates of monthly rated workers; this would be implemented as soon as an agreement is reached."

The letter adds that "despite financial distress, several gardens in the company have achieved fair levels of financial sustainability. The question of locking out any unit under these circumstances does not arise."

The focus of The Telegraph report was workers of Nagaisuree tea garden in Jalpaiguri had demanded a lockout.

The Duncans statement said "the question of locking out any unit... does not arise". The news report had also quoted a Duncans official as saying: "Why should we do it (announce a lockout) now when the situation is slowly coming under control?"

The unions today disputed the claim that their "full entitlement of wages" was being paid.

Spokespersons of the four recognised trade unions in the Nagaisuree garden - the Progressive Tea Workers' Union, the National Union of Plantation Workers, the Cha Bagan Mazdoor Union and the Terai Dooars Plantation Workers' Union - said that none of the daily workers were getting paid the minimum full entitled wages of Rs 122.50 a day.

According to them, a wage agreement was worked out for the industry in February this year where it was decided a minimum daily wage of Rs 122.50 would be paid with effect from April 1, 2014. But this was not being followed, they said.