Tea Garden Workers in West Bengal Demand 20% Bonus Amid Protests

West Bengal’s tea garden workers are intensifying their protests against management’s advisory recommending a 16% bonus instead of their demanded 20%. The workers organized a “Chakka Jam” movement on Wednesday, blocking roads in various locations, including the Rohini area of Kurseong.

Stalled Negotiations and Workers’ Discontent

According to union leaders, the protests follow the failure of a fifth round of tripartite talks on the bonus issue, which concluded without an agreement on Tuesday at Siliguri’s Sramik Bhawan. Gracy Rai, a protester, criticized the state government’s lack of action, stating, “The state government is not increasing the bonus for tea gardeners. Despite repeated demands for 20% of their wages, the government is indifferent.”

Union leaders, including Surendra Tamang and Bikram Rai, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing their determination to continue the protests until their demands are met. Tamang declared, “The workers will not rest until their demand is met,” while Rai insisted, “We will intensify our agitation and force the government to comply.”

Government Advisory and Industry Context

On October 1, 2024, the West Bengal government issued an advisory for tea garden managements in the Darjeeling, Kurseong, and Kalimpong Hills to pay a 16% bonus, describing it as an industry-wide settlement with disbursements already underway in North Bengal. The tea gardens had initially agreed to an 8.33% bonus, later negotiating up to 13%, but workers remain firm in their demand for a 20% bonus.

The tea industry is crucial to the economy of Darjeeling and North Bengal, providing livelihoods for over 500,000 individuals, both directly and indirectly involved in the sector.