KalimNews, March 18, 2025 : Leaders from the Hill Terai Dooars Plantation Workers Union (HTDPWU), affiliated with the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), met with the Secretary of the Darjeeling Tea Association (DTA) to present an eight-point demand charter. The delegation, led by J.B. Tamang, President of HTDPWU, emphasized the need for immediate action to address serious concerns regarding the rights and well-being of tea workers in the region.
The union warned that failure to address their demands could lead to unrest in the plantations, with the management and the DTA being held fully accountable for any resulting problems. The eight key demands are as follows:
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Timely Wage Payments to Prevent Absenteeism: The union demanded that workers receive their wages on time to avoid absenteeism and ensure a stable workforce in the plantations. Delayed payments were cited as a primary reason for workers reducing their presence at the plantations.
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Deposit of Workers’ Provident Fund (PF) Dues on Time: The union called for plantation owners to deposit workers’ PF contributions promptly. The failure to do so has prevented workers from accessing their dues upon retirement, undermining their financial security.
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Timely Payment of Gratuity: The union emphasized that workers should receive their gratuity payments on time after years of service in the plantations. Many workers have not received these payments, even after dedicating their lives to plantation work, leading to significant distress.
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Provision of Basic Amenities: The union demanded that plantation management provide basic amenities such as umbrellas, raincoats, and other essential supplies as required by the Labour and Industrial Acts. Workers have been deprived of these basic necessities, affecting their health and working conditions.
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Uniformity of Basic Amenities Across All Plantations: The union stressed that these basic amenities, such as umbrellas, raincoats, and other essential tools, should be provided uniformly across all plantations. The union demanded that all plantations adhere to the same standards to ensure fairness for all workers.
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Immediate Cancellation of the 2011 Workers’ Agreement: The union called for the immediate cancellation of the workers’ agreement signed on March 31, 2011. The agreement currently restricts workers’ access to basic amenities and benefits, and the union insists that benefits be implemented in accordance with the Labour Act.
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Implementation of Minimum Wage with Interim Wage Increases: The union demanded the immediate implementation of a minimum wage for workers. Until the minimum wage is established, they pressed for interim wage increases to help workers cope with rising living costs.
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Bonus Payment for the Year 2023-24: The union raised concerns about the pending bonus payment for the year 2023-24. Despite two tripartite meetings in November 2024, the DTA Secretary had requested 15 days to resolve the matter, but after four months, no meeting had been held. The union called for the DTA to take immediate steps to resolve the issue and prevent further unrest in the plantations.
The HTDPWU underscored that the DTA must take swift and positive action to address these demands, warning that any further delays would worsen conditions in the plantations. The union made it clear that if these issues were not addressed promptly, the plantation management and the DTA would bear full responsibility for any disruptions or unrest that may occur.
With tensions mounting, the HTDPWU’s demands are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of labor relations in Darjeeling’s tea industry.
