Paltry wages behind tea garden worker migration trend: DTDPLU

PRASHANT ACHARYA, EOI, Siliguri, 6 Jul 2014: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha affiliated Darjeeling Terai Dooars Plantation Labour Union has appealed to all trade unions to remain sincere and serious to the cause of tea garden workers and to stick to their demand for minimum wages during the fourth tripartite meeting on July 16.

DTDPLU leader and Terai-Dooars in-charge Harihar Acharya said, “Tea garden workers are migrating to other states in search of jobs as they are being deprived by the garden owners and the government despite their toil and sweat in the factories and gardens.”

He warned there may come a day when not even a single worker would be available given the poor wages. Acharya was today speaking at a meeting in Belgachi tea garden where trade union leaders from the Terai were present to discuss the problems being faced by the tea workers of Panighata, Belgachi, Simulbari, Lohagarh and Marionbari, among others.

When asked about the DTDPLU’s decision to unite with all unions barring that of the TMC, he said, “This is a crucial time to remain united and I appeal to all trade unions to remain sincere for the workers cause. Those days when owners used to raise daily wages just by Rs2-3 are gone and now we should pressurise the government to fix the minimum wage once and for all.”

Acharya added as prices of essentials are skyrocketing, the workers should also be given Variable Dearness Allowance. The meeting participants also decided to GJM chief Bimal Gurung to discuss the workers’ problems and ways to resolve them.