Bonus negotiations for Terai, Dooars fruitful

Prashant Acharya, EOIC, Siliguri, 21 Sep 2013: Negotiations for this year’s bonus for tea garden workers of the Terai and Dooars between the Consultative Committee of Planters' Association and 46 trade unions concluded today successfully in Kolkata with the former approving 20 per cent as bonus for 152 gardens and a little lower for 27 others.

DTDPLU Terai and Dooars in-charge Harihar Acharya informed over phone from Kolkata the CCPA has requested the trade unions to consider 27 tea gardens in the Dooars for a bonus amount of less than 20 per cent as they are less productive.

Trade union representatives tried their level best and ultimately managed to convince the CCPA for a 20 per cent allowance for the remaining gardens as many of them are undergoing a crucial phase given the adverse climatic conditions and the agitation in the hills, added Acharya.

Last year, most tea gardens in the Terai and Dooars received bonus at the rate of 20 percent barring 36 gardens, while another seven received less than 10 per cent.