Operations to Resume at Orange Valley: Tea Estate Dispute Resolved

KalimNews, Kolkata, March 24, 2025 : A resolution has been reached between the management of Orange Valley Tea Estate and representatives of the operating trade unions, bringing an end to the recent dispute that had disrupted operations. 

A joint conference was held at the Regional Labour Office (RLO) in Darjeeling on March 24, 2025, where the management and trade unions, including the Darjeeling Terai Dooars Plantation Labour Union (DTDPLU), Hind Mazdoor Sabha-affiliated Hind Tea Democratic Plantation Workers Union (HTDPWU), and the Himalayan Plantation Workers Union (HPWU), agreed on terms to restore normalcy.

The dispute originated on March 17, 2025, when the management of Orange Valley Tea Estate issued a "No Work, No Pay" notice, citing financial losses due to workers refusing to pluck tea leaves. In response, the trade unions sought intervention to resolve the matter. Following extensive discussions, an amicable agreement was reached with key provisions resolving to recommence normal operations, including tea plucking, from March 25, 2025.

Others were -central trade unions and garden unit representatives assured adherence to management directives regarding productivity and work culture, the management will replace temporary (‘budlee’) workers in accordance with industry norms by April 1, 2025.

It also decided that eligible workers will be upgraded in consultation with unions at the garden level by May 15, 2025. Payments for plucking beyond the daily quota :Extra Leave Price" (ELP) rates: will be implemented immediately at rates of Rs.13/-, Rs.9/-, and Rs.11/- per kilogram of extra leaves plucked.

Factory workers and those with fixed work duties will follow a schedule of 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM. If required, temporary workers will be appointed in consultation with unions, giving priority to local workers and those from closed tea estates.

Management will arrange ambulance services through either direct reimbursement or vehicle hire, ensuring medical assistance is available when needed. The period of work disruption will be treated under the "No Work, No Pay" policy without affecting the service continuity of employees.

In the joint meeting both parties pledged to maintain peace and harmony within the estate.

With these agreements in place, the dispute has been formally resolved, paving the way for stable operations and improved worker-management relations at Orange Valley Tea Estate.