12-hour general strike called on Monday by trade unions of Darjeeling hills

Vivek Chhetri, The Telegraph, 30.09.24, Darjeeling : The trade unions from Darjeeling hills have called a 12-hour general strike on Monday in the region after the fourth round of tea bonus talks for Darjeeling gardens failed on Sunday.

“The management only offered a 13 per cent bonus for the Darjeeling tea workers. Hence, we have decided to appeal to all to observe a 12-hour strike from 7am to 7pm. The workers will come out on the streets and appeal for a strike,” said Suraj Pathak, former Rajya Sabha MP of the CPM and a trade union leader.

Eight hill-based unions have formed a common platform to demand a 20 per cent bonus.

Pathak also said tea garden workers would gather in front of their factories and not attend work starting Tuesday.

“The management cannot mark them absent,” said Pathak.

The meeting held in Siliguri was facilitated by the state labour department.

Pathak said that if the department issues an advisory on the bonus, it should be for 20 per cent and no less. “We will no longer accept any advisory of the labour department regarding bonus if it is less than 20 per cent,” said Pathak.

Courtesy & source: The Telegraph