Tea Workers’ Puja Bonus to Be Finalised Through Bilateral Talks

MP, August 27, 2026, Alipurduar : Unlike previous years, the Durga Puja bonus for tea garden workers in North Bengal is likely to be finalised through bilateral negotiations between tea garden owners and workers’ unions, instead of a government directive.

The process is expected to be quicker, but the final bonus percentage may take a few more days.

Workers’ unions have already made their demand clear — a 20 per cent bonus.

Alipurduar BJP MP Manoj Tigga, a senior leader of the BJP-affiliated tea workers’ union, said: “This year, the bonus agreement will be finalised through bilateral discussions. The workers’ unions will demand a 20 per cent bonus and insist that the agreement be finalised at least two weeks before Durga Puja.”

This will be the first Puja bonus agreement in the tea industry since the BJP came to power in West Bengal.

According to industry sources, a meeting was held in Kolkata on Tuesday between the state Labour Department and the Consultative Committee of Plantation Associations (CCPA), the apex body representing tea garden owners.

The CCPA reportedly proposed bilateral negotiations, with the first formal meeting expected soon.

Last year, the state government directly announced a 20 per cent bonus instead of following the traditional negotiation process.

However, industry sources claim that at least 65 tea gardens have been unable to pay the full bonus.

The financial condition of tea gardens is expected to be a major factor this year.

More than 15 gardens in North Bengal are closed or largely non-operational, while around 270 remain active.

Industry sources claim nearly 75 gardens are in severe financial distress, making even a 10 per cent bonus difficult for some estates.

Industry representatives believe bilateral negotiations could take the financial condition of individual gardens into account.

However, failure to reach an agreement could again force government intervention.

Industry estimates suggest that timely payment before Puja could inject up to Rs.500 crore into North Bengal’s markets, boosting festive spending.