Tea worker stages protests after estate ignores reinstatement order

A CORRESPONDENT

DOOMDOOMA: Shiva Nath Tanti, a worker from the machine room of Rupai Tea Estate’s factory, staged an eight-hour sit-in protest in front of the Manager’s office on June 11. The protest was against the management’s refusal to comply with an official order from the Assistant Labour Commissioner (ALC) directing his reinstatement. Tanti was dismissed from his job around 13 months ago after being accused of stealing iron from the factory. What raised concern was that the management terminated him without conducting any internal inquiry, a move that many have criticized as a violation of due process. Following his dismissal, Tanti approached the Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS), as well as the State Labour Welfare Minister and ACMS Secretary Rupesh Gowala, to seek justice. Tanti argued that the management’s action was a gross violation of the Assam Tea Plantation Labour Act, 1951. Despite reaching out to these authorities, no concrete action was taken in his favour at that stage. Left with no other option, Tanti filed a formal complaint with the Assistant Labour Commissioner of Tinsukia District. After reviewing the case, the ALC ruled that the dismissal was illegal and ordered the management of Rupai Tea Estate to reinstate Tanti immediately. However, the management has continued to ignore the directive, leaving Tanti without justice. This blatant defiance of a government order has sparked concern among many, especially considering that Minister Rupesh Gowala—who is not only a member of the Assam cabinet and a local MLA but also the Secretary of ACMS, the largest tea workers’ union in the state—has been disregarded in the matter.

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