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TINSUKIA: Assam Chah Karmachari Sangha (ACKS), has called for intensive agitation against the ‘anti-welfare’ policies of the State Government which threatens to rob the tea garden employees of a secured future in violation of their existing rights, in a meeting convened at the Tinsukia Press Club on Friday.
The issue is regarding Assam Tea Plantations Provident Fund and Pension Fund and Deposit Linked Insurance Fund Scheme, whereby management of tea gardens, since inception, had collected provident fund contributions from the employees on their total salary. Though the Assam Tea Plantations Provident Fund and Pension Fund and Deposit Linked Insurance Fund Act, 1955 was amended in March 2016, increasing the upper wage ceiling from Rs 6,500/- to Rs 15,000/-, it was not implemented by the tea gardens and the Provident Fund, irrespective of the amendment, was continued to be paid, contended Rishav Kalita, Central General Secretary, ACKS, even as some tea gardens had tried to implement the amendment in 2023 which ACKS had challenged before the High Court that passed an order granting maintenance of status quo as regards the payment of the PF.
On November 12, 2024, Government of Assam, vide notification published in the Assam Gazette, had further amended the Assam Tea Plantations Provident Fund and Pension Fund and Deposit Linked Insurance Fund Scheme, 1968 capping the quantum of employer’s contribution for Provident Fund for employees drawing wages above Rs 15,000/-. This has led the ACKS to file a writ petition again in the High Court and the matter is currently sub-judice.
Rishav Kalita further said, “We strongly protest against these anti-welfare policies which would deprive the employees of post retirement benefits. Though the matter is being heard in the High Court and in spite of the previous order directing maintenance of status quo, some garden management are proceeding with the implementation of the Act. ACKS has urged the government to immediately intervene in the matter and restore the Provident Fund Contribution to 12 percent and also to wait till the matter is resolved by the High Court.”
Along with Rishav Kalita, Biren Adhyapak, Vice President of ACKS, Hitendranath Borah, Ratul Kakoty, Juga Chandra Saikia, branch officials from Panitola, Tingrai, and Doomdooma were present at the press meet.
Kalita said that the 15,000 members of the ACKS will start their first phase of agitation with a dharna of 1 hour at 7 am by wearing black badges from January 28 culminating on January 30 with a gherao program at the Guwahati Labour Commissioner’s Office to be represented by 5000 members.
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