Minimum wage for tea garden workers to be introduced soon, says Bengal Labour Minister

MP, July 18, 2026, Jalpaiguri : The State government will introduce a minimum wage for tea garden workers at the earliest, State Labour and Transport Minister Arjun Singh said during his visit to Jalpaiguri on Friday.

He also alleged that officials had submitted incorrect reports on the condition of the tea industry and warned of action if accurate information was not provided within 15 days.

Singh was in Jalpaiguri to attend the inauguration of the redeveloped Jalpaiguri Road Railway Station, which was virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He later chaired a review meeting with Transport Department officials at the Jalpaiguri Circuit House.

Addressing reporters, the Minister said: "The demand for a minimum wage for tea garden workers has been pending for a long time. The Central government has already fixed the minimum wage, and it will be implemented for tea garden workers in West Bengal very soon. However, certain unscrupulous groups are active in the tea industry. They are not depositing provident fund contributions or paying gratuity, while some tea garden owners do not even recognise their workers as employees..."

Singh said: "The PF department has become a centre of irregularities. Officials submitted incorrect reports on tea gardens. They have been given 15 days to provide accurate information, failing which appropriate action will be taken."

Meanwhile, Singh also announced that buses older than 15 years would be phased out in compliance with Supreme Court directives.

"We are preparing a roadmap to strengthen the Transport Department. Vehicles over 15 years old will be removed in phases as per the court's order," he said.

The Minister added that several initiatives are planned to improve the transport sector before Durga Puja across North and South Bengal.

"The proposal for the Pink Card scheme has already been sent to the Finance Department..." he said.

He also said the government was considering fresh recruitment and assured that the concerns of temporary employees would be addressed.