GTA Urges Pension Scheme for Retired Tea Workers in Closed Gardens
The long-standing demand for social security for ageing tea garden workers in North Bengal has gained fresh momentum after the chief executive of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), Anit Thapa, formally urged the West Bengal government to introduce a pension scheme for workers aged 58 and above in closed tea estates. The appeal has brought renewed attention to the economic vulnerability of thousands of elderly labourers who, after decades of service in the tea industry, are left without income support once they cross the existing assistance age limit.
In a letter addressed to the state labour minister, Thapa highlighted a critical gap in the current welfare framework for tea workers, particularly those affected by prolonged closures of tea gardens in the Darjeeling Hills and the Dooars. While acknowledging the role of existing financial aid schemes, he argued that they fall short of ensuring dignity and security for workers in their post-retirement years.
Gap in Existing Assistance for Elderly Workers
At present, workers of closed tea gardens are eligible for monthly financial assistance under a state-backed scheme designed to support labourers during shutdowns. The scheme has been widely described as a lifeline for families struggling without regular wages. However, eligibility ends when a worker turns 58, effectively excluding senior labourers from any form of structured income support.
Thapa noted that this age threshold leaves many retired workers without a safety net at a time when their ability to find alternative employment is limited. “Once a worker crosses the age limit, there is no assured income, despite years of contribution to the tea economy,” he said, stressing that a pension scheme would provide continuity of support and uphold the principle of social security.
According to the GTA chief executive, a dedicated pension would not only address immediate financial hardship but also recognise the contribution of tea workers who spent their working lives under physically demanding and often uncertain conditions.
Tea Industry’s Role in North Bengal’s Economy
The tea sector remains one of the largest employers in North Bengal, supporting entire communities across the Darjeeling Hills and the Terai-Dooars region. Official data shows that more than two lakh permanent workers and nearly one lakh temporary labourers are employed across hundreds of organised tea estates in the region.
Despite its economic significance, the industry has been marked by recurring closures, ownership disputes, and financial stress. Over the years, several tea gardens have shut down, leaving workers without wages, housing security, or access to healthcare. For elderly labourers, the impact is especially severe, as they often depend entirely on garden-linked employment for survival.
Labour representatives have long argued that while short-term assistance helps during closures, the absence of a long-term pension policy reflects a structural neglect of ageing workers.
Political and Administrative Dimensions
The pension proposal also carries political significance in the run-up to Assembly elections, particularly in the hill constituencies where tea workers play a decisive role in shaping electoral outcomes. The Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), led by Thapa and aligned with the ruling party in the state, has indicated its intention to contest all hill Assembly seats.
Political observers believe that a pension initiative could resonate strongly with senior workers and their families, many of whom are currently excluded from existing welfare schemes. “If implemented, the move could strengthen the ruling alliance’s outreach in the tea belt,” a hill-based analyst said, while adding that sustained implementation would be key to maintaining trust.
At the same time, labour activists caution against viewing the issue solely through an electoral lens, pointing out that pension security has been a core demand of tea workers’ unions for decades.
Recent Expansion of Aid to Closed Gardens
Alongside the pension demand, the state labour department has recently expanded financial assistance coverage by bringing four additional closed tea estates under the existing support scheme. Two of these gardens are located in the Darjeeling Hills, while the remaining two are in the Dooars region.
The inclusion is expected to benefit more than 2,900 workers from estates that shut down in the second half of last year. For many families, the extension offers temporary relief, particularly in meeting daily expenses such as food, education, and medical care.
However, senior workers remain excluded once they cross the age limit, reinforcing calls for a pension system that operates independently of garden closures.
Government Response and Next Steps
GTA Sabha Deputy Chairman Rajesh Chauhan personally submitted the memorandum to the labour minister on Thapa’s behalf. According to Chauhan, the minister responded positively and assured that the proposal would be examined. No formal announcement has been made so far regarding timelines or the structure of a potential pension scheme.
Labour department officials have previously stated that any new pension initiative would require financial planning and coordination across departments. Experts suggest that a contributory or state-supported model could be explored, particularly for workers who spent decades in the industry but lack formal retirement benefits.
A Question of Dignity and Security
For tea garden workers’ families, the issue goes beyond financial assistance. Many see pension security as a matter of dignity, acknowledging the labour that sustained one of the region’s most iconic industries.
As discussions move forward, the state government faces the challenge of balancing fiscal considerations with social responsibility. Whether the proposed pension scheme becomes a reality will likely depend on political will, administrative feasibility, and continued pressure from worker groups. For now, the renewed demand has once again placed the welfare of ageing tea workers at the centre of public debate in North Bengal.
