Labour standing committee discusses tea workers’ issues

EOI, Siliguri, 22 August 2014: The Standing Committee of Labour from the West Bengal Legislative Assembly on Friday conducted a meeting with several officials and tea garden workers’ unions to find out the actual reasons of the problems being faced across gardens.

The meeting at the Siliguri Circuit House and it was attended by representatives of departments including provident fund, health, education,food and the tea board. Discussions mainly focused on the health and rations for tea workers.

Harihar Acharya, central committee member of the GJM-backed Darjeeling Terai Dooars Plantation Labour Union (DTDPLU), said committee members have been made aware on the problems of health, education, drinking water, PF land pattas and many more issues.

He said the PF regional head (Siliguri) has assured workers they can withdraw their pensions from the Uttar Banga Kshertiya Grameen Bank.

INTTUC president Aloke Chakraborty said the committee will submit the reports in the state assembly for necessary action. The tea board has also decided to test pesticides being used in tea gardens after a Mumbai-based NGO found some harmful chemicals in various brands of Indian tea.