Management blamed for sickness of tea gardens

Special Correspondent

Silchar: Tea labour and employees have been advised to be prepared for greater agitation in order to get from the authorities concerned better pay package after securing enhancement of their leave travel allowance following their dialogue with CCPA. The agreement to give effect to the enhanced LTA was signed by Bhartiya Cha Karamchari Union (BCKU) with CPPA on March 6, 2019. BCKU admits this could be possible with the cooperation of all employees.

Pankaj Kumar Dhar, general secretary, BCKU, addressing the 70th annual general meeting of the Union, at its premises here on Sunday said the pay agreement with the management expired a year ago. CCPA is also in favour of restructuring of pay and its enhancement. Though the Union did hold two or three rounds of talks with CCPA, no concrete agreement could be evolved. Along with drive for hike in pay and wages, pressure would also be mounted for eliminating the disparity between the wages of Brahmaputra and Barak valleys, pointed out Pankaj Dhar.

The general secretary noted with concern the indifferent attitude of some managers towards the management of tea gardens which is resulting in their economic stagnation and in turn sufferings of labour and employees in general. Payment of wages and salary to them has become irregular, besides being deprived of basic facilities. The managers or management of such tea estates have been impressed upon to abjure this kind of mentality and concentrate on better management.

The report of the general secretary specifically refers to some tea gardens which include Kalainchera, Arcatipore, Baithakhal, South Cachar, Ailabari, Hatikhira, Kraigpar, Jalalnagar and Promod Nagar which have become sick mainly because of mismanagement. Despite all the thrust of the Union, the Plantation Labour Act remains unimplemented and this is the root of all problems. The Union is also sieged of other pressing issues like proper accommodation, health care and gratuity among others for resolution. Sushmita Dev MP who graced the occasion as chief guest assured the union of all possible help in resolving their burning issues.

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