Suspense on bonus for tea workers

TT, 1 Sep 2019, Siliguri: The rates of bonus for tea workers serving in tea estates of Darjeeling, Terai and the Dooars are yet to be finalised by representatives of tea planters' associations and trade unions. 

At the meeting, the planters and trade unions initiated talks to settle the bonus rate for tea workers but were yet to reach a decision. 

 "We have made it clear that the bonus should be fixed keeping in mind the financial deterrents which the industry is facing these days. On the first day, we have not mentioned any rate from our side. We want the trade unions to make rational proposals. Another rounds of talks would be held on Sunday," said Prabir Bhattacharjee, secretary general of the Tea Association of India. 

 Last year, bonus was paid to garden workers at the rate of 19.75 per cent. Also, the bipartite meeting organised in Darjeeling on Friday among the planters and trade unions to settle the bonus for workers of the hill tea estates did not yield any result. 

"From our side, we had proposed bonus at the rate of 8.33 per cent and elaborated the problems which have affected the tea industry during past couple of years. The unions, however, have demanded bonus at the rate of 20 per cent. The industry is not in a position to bear such expenses. We hope the issue would be resolved in due course. Soon, another rounds of talks would be held to reach at a consensus," said 

Sandeep Mukherjee, principal advisor of the Darjeeling Tea Association.