Tea Garden Workers Demand Statutory Minimum Wages as IGJF, Union Step Up Protest in Siliguri
As debates around livelihoods and labour rights intensify ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, the long-standing demand for statutory minimum wages for tea garden workers in North Bengal returned to the spotlight on Monday. Members of the Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front (IGJF) and its trade union affiliate staged a rally and sit-in protest in Siliguri, warning of sustained agitation if the issue continues to remain unresolved.
The demonstration, held in front of Shramik Bhawan in the Dagapur area, brought together tea garden workers from the Hills, Terai and Dooars regions—areas that form the backbone of the state’s tea economy. Protesters submitted a memorandum to the state government through the labour department, seeking immediate enforcement of minimum wages and settlement of pending provident fund dues.
Long-Pending Wage Issue Resurfaces
Tea garden workers in North Bengal currently receive a daily wage of Rs. 220, an amount unions argue is insufficient to meet basic living expenses amid rising prices of food, fuel, healthcare and education. After deductions towards provident fund (PF), the take-home wage drops further, placing additional strain on households dependent on a single income.
Labour leaders pointed out that despite repeated representations over the years, tea workers remain outside the statutory minimum wage framework that applies to most other organised sectors. They argue that this exclusion has left workers vulnerable to uncertainty, irregular payments and inadequate social security.
IGJF leaders said the protest was organised to remind the state government of its obligation to ensure fair wages and enforce existing labour laws in the tea sector.
Reference to Court Order and Legal Obligations
Addressing the gathering, IGJF chief Ajoy Edwards said the demand for minimum wages is not new and has already received judicial backing. He referred to a Calcutta High Court order dated August 1, 2023, which directed the state government to finalise minimum wages for tea garden workers within six months.
“Despite clear directions from the court, workers continue to be paid the same daily wage,” Edwards said, adding that unauthorised PF deductions and non-deposit of contributions have worsened the situation for thousands of families. He described the current scenario as a violation of both labour laws and workers’ dignity.
According to him, the party and its union wing have repeatedly raised these concerns through formal representations, but tangible progress has yet to be seen.
Union Flags Provident Fund Defaults
The Hamro Hill Terai Dooars Chiyabari Shramik Sangh (HHTDCSS), the IGJF’s trade union wing, highlighted alleged irregularities in provident fund compliance across several tea gardens. Union representatives claimed that PF deductions made from workers’ wages have not been deposited in multiple estates, in violation of statutory provisions.
Union leaders alleged that dozens of tea gardens in the Hills, Terai and Dooars regions have defaulted on both workers’ contributions and the employer’s matching share. They warned that such lapses not only deprive workers of long-term savings but also undermine trust in the system meant to protect them.
Rising Costs, Migration Concerns
HHTDCSS central committee president D.K. Gurung said the wage issue has reached a breaking point for many families. “In today’s economic conditions, it is extremely difficult to survive on a daily wage of Rs. 220,” he said, pointing to inflation and rising household expenses.
Gurung noted that inadequate wages have already triggered distress migration, with many young workers leaving tea gardens in search of alternative employment outside the region. He cautioned that if the trend continues, it could have long-term consequences for the tea industry as well as for social stability in the region.
The union also criticised what it described as unequal treatment of tea garden workers compared to employees in other sectors who are covered under minimum wage laws.
Elections Bring Political Focus
With Assembly elections approaching, the union has urged all political parties and candidates to clearly state their position on tea workers’ wages. Union leaders said labour rights must become a central issue in the electoral discourse, particularly in tea-growing regions where workers form a significant voting bloc.
While political leaders have, in the past, made public announcements regarding wage increases, the union maintained that such assurances have often lacked statutory backing. According to union representatives, this has created confusion and false expectations among workers.
They emphasised that only a legally notified minimum wage, backed by enforcement mechanisms, can provide lasting relief.
Scale of the Workforce
Tea remains one of North Bengal’s most important industries, employing a large workforce across the organised sector. According to official estimates cited by labour representatives, more than 2.3 lakh permanent workers and around 94,000 temporary workers are engaged in approximately 449 tea gardens in the region.
Given the size of the workforce, unions argue that the absence of statutory minimum wages is not just a labour issue but a broader social and economic concern that requires urgent attention.
What Lies Ahead
Officials from the labour department reportedly assured union representatives that their concerns would be conveyed to higher authorities. However, union leaders made it clear that Monday’s protest was only the beginning of a larger movement if concrete steps are not taken soon.
As tea garden workers continue to wait for statutory protection, the coming weeks are likely to see increased mobilisation across the Hills, Terai and Dooars. Whether the renewed agitation translates into policy action may well shape the future of labour relations in North Bengal’s tea industry.
