Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha reiterates 20% bonus to be disbursed before Durga Puja

A Correspondent

TANGLA: Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS), Mangaldai branch, has criticized the declaration by Consultative Committee of Plantation Associations, Assam Valley branch, which constitutes five tea growers — the Assam Tea Planters’ Association, Assam Branch Indian Tea Association, North Eastern Tea Association, Tea Association of India and the Bharatiya Chah Parishad, that the tea industry may fail to disburse 20 percent bonus to its workers this year and pay only 8.33 percent bonus ahead of Durga Puja.

The working committee of the Mangaldai branch also held a meet in this regard where it has decided that the 22 tea gardens ACMS primary unit will submitt memoranda to the tea garden management authorities for disbursement of the bonus ahead of Durga Puja. “The tea planters at any cost must pay the maximum bonus to all its employees”, said president of ACMS Mangaldai branch, Paban Nayak. ACMS Secretary, Mangaldai branch Santiuse Kujur said that the planters’ body cannot wash off hands by merely saying that the industry is going through a rough phase. “Loss incurred by tea companies cannot be generalised. The tea industry as a whole cannot say they cannot afford because they continue to attract good price for quality tea. Besides, the plantation workers have always endured hardwork and given their best, they are at no fault and must receive their due wage and recognition for their labour. The Centre must institute a “high powered expert committee to delve into the crisis claim of the tea industry. If crisis has been detected after analysis, government must act accordingly to save the industry as it is one of the largest employment sector in Assam. But on the specific matters of wages, bonus and other welfare measures we are not going to compromise as the tea planters remain adamant that there might arise a law and order situation in the tea gardens,” said Kujur. The Mangaldai branch ACMS also hailed the decision of its Secretary to switch to Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP).

“ACMS will never lose its identity and politics and trade unions are distinct and separate entities” said Kujur. “We are demanding 20 percent Puja bonus for the workers and the bonus must be announced and paid at least three weeks ahead of Durga Puja so that workers get enough time to do their puja purchases”, said Paban Nayak. Pertinently the minimum bonus for tea garden workers under the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 is 8.33 per cent while the maximum is 20 percent. All permanent and temporary workers who have worked for a minimum period of 30 days are entitled to the benefit.

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