Assam Government asks TEs to pay bonus at the earliest

 Settle installment issues amicably with labour unions: Minister to TE managements

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The State Government has asked all tea gardens in the state to pay bonuses to their workers at the earliest. The Durga Puja this year is from October 20 (Shashti) to October 24 (Dashami). Paying a bonus on the eve of Durga Puja has long been a convention in Assam.

Speaking to The Sentinel, Labour Welfare Minister Sanjay Kishan said, "According to information we have received, most of the tea gardens have agreed to pay a 20 percent bonus to their workers. Some of the gardens have already paid the bonus, and some have not. Since the tea community is very enthusiastic about the Durga Puja, a bonus is very important for them. They are in a festive mood with new attire during Durga Puja. They want the bonus a bit earlier to have time for marketing. Now Durga Puja is on the doorstep. The gardens that have not paid bonuses to their workers should do so immediately. Bonus has always been a sensitive issue in tea gardens".

When asked about the resentment among workers over some gardens willing to pay a 20 percent bonus in two installments, the minister said, "Yes. It has come to our notice. Some of the gardens have agreed to pay a 20 percent bonus in the 15+5 percent breakup: 15 percent before Durga Puja and the remaining 5 percent before Holi in 2024. This issue is the cause of resentment among the workers in some of the tea gardens, with a section of workers staging a protest in support of their demand for a 20 percent bonus in one installment before the Durga Puja. It is high time the garden management held talks with the labour unions and solved the issue amicably. The issue should not escalate into such a situation that requires the administration to interfere."

The workers of Phulbari Tea Estate in the Rangapara area staged a protest yesterday against the management's announcement to pay bonuses in two installments. The police had to intervene to bring the situation under control. The workers want a 20 percent bonus in one installment before the Durga Puja.

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