Plight of Kumbhirgram Tea Estate labourers hangs in balance

Silchar: Labourers of Kumbhirgram Tea Estate are facing a serious and grave situation. All of a sudden on the midnight of October 25, 2018, tea estate management with the help of some police personnel issued an illegal and unlawful notice to ‘lockout the garden’. The authorities concerned made their escape good by the time the notice was declared. Labourers, as well as their union leaders, have alleged that such a step is unlawful. At present, there are around permanent and 1000 causal labourers working in the tea estate. These labourers have been facing all sorts of problems for the last few years.

In this regard, CITU affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Cha Mazdoor Sangh (Assam), on Monday submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar after staging a protest demonstration in front of his office. They have demanded immediate cancellation of the illegal lockout order. They have urged upon the Deputy Commissioner to look into the matter and take steps to ensure peace and security in the garden areas. The labourers have also raised the demand that women workers should be provided more safe and homely environment. They have alleged that the women labourers are made to work even after the sunset. In addition to this, there is no time table which results in increased working hours.

They have stated in the memorandum that they should be provided with remaining bonus amount and also the remaining wages and ration items for the last week. Managers Anil Gurung and Nehar Singha, as alleged by the labourers, are always misbehaving and ill treating them. The memorandum has been signed by Chunilal Bhattacharjee, president, Akhil Bharatiya Cha Mazdoor Sangh (Assam) (CITU), Barun Bawri, Shibu Baroi, Jayananda Tanti, Bina Bawri among others.