40 tea workers of Baghjan Tea Estate to get due bonus

From our Staff Correspondent

Dibrugarh, September 23: The 40 deprived tea workers of Baghjan Tea Estate in Tinsukia Tea Estate will get their due bonus from 1983, the Ministry of Labour, Government of India, has directed the magement of the tea estate for payment of bonus to those 40 tea garden employees who were termited from their job in the year 1984.

The general secretary of Assam Tea Workers’ Union (ATWU) Isak Karkoria, in a press communiqué, has informed that the since 1983, the magement of Bhagjan Tea Estate has deprived 40 tea workers from their due 20 per cent bonus. The ATWU, while challenging the magement’s decision, has been fighting legal battle on behalf the deprived tea workers since 1983. Finding no let-up, the ATWU reported the matter to the Labour Ministry, Government of India. The Ministry took the matter seriously and directed the Labour Commissioner of the Government of Assam on February 25 this year to release the entire due bonus to the deprived 40 tea workers along with the principal amount and also the  accumulated interest of last 32 years. A formal letter has also been forwarded to the Labour Department of Tinsukia district directing them to take appropriate steps in this regard.

The general secretary of the union, Isak Karkoria, further stated that it was unfortute that poor labourers were still being deprived of their lawful dues till today and said that the ATWU would not hesitate to face any challenges for securing the legitimate dues of the deprived tea workers.