Darjeeling Tea Workers Demand 20% Puja Bonus as Negotiations Stall

KalimNews, Siliguri, September 24, 2024 : In a significant gathering, hundreds of tea garden workers from the Darjeeling hills assembled outside the Shramik Bhawan meeting hall in Siliguri on Tuesday, intensifying pressure on tea garden owners and the West Bengal government to secure a puja bonus of 20 percent. The second tripartite meeting, which lasted for five and a half hours, involved eight recognized trade unions representing workers from 87 tea gardens. However, by 8 PM, no resolution had been reached.

During the discussions, trade union leaders unanimously articulated their rationale for demanding the 20 percent bonus, emphasizing the need for fair compensation in light of the rising cost of living. Despite a harmonious atmosphere throughout the meeting, negotiations proved challenging. The owners' associations initially offered only the statutory bonus of 8.33 percent but later increased their offer to 12 percent, which still fell short of the workers’ demands.

In a show of solidarity, hundreds of members from the Hill Plantation Employees Union protested outside the venue, expressing their dissatisfaction with the labour department’s decision to exclude their representatives from the discussions. Officials from the labour department stated that this decision had been communicated by higher authorities, causing further frustration among the workers.

The Hill Plantation Employees Union, registered under the Trade Union Act since April 20, 2023, remains resolute in its demands. Prominent trade union leaders, including J B Tamang and Saman Pathak, were seen waiting outside Shramik Bhawan, voicing their demand for a 2 percent bonus as a sign of their commitment to the cause.

In a bid to resolve the ongoing dispute, trade union representatives have expressed their willingness to convene for another meeting. However, they have also issued a warning: if their demand for a 20 percent bonus is not met by September 27, 2024, they are prepared to escalate the situation with organized agitation.

The situation remains fluid as both sides brace for further negotiations, with the future of the workers’ bonus hanging in the balance. The outcome of these discussions will be closely monitored, as it directly impacts the livelihoods of thousands of tea garden workers in the region.