Kolkata, Feb 24 (IANS) The monthly pay of tea estate workers in West Bengal will be in accordance with the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 and the state has formed a committee to oversee and implement the same, a tea workers' union leader said Tuesday.
"After holding a series of talks, it was decided by the tea estate stakeholders including workers and the state government that the monthly remuneration of workers will be based on the Minimum Wages Act," Ziaul Alam, a leader of the state's Joint Forum of Trade Unions of Tea Industry, told media persons here.
The joint forum is a conglomerate of 24 tea industry trade unions in the state.
The Minimum Wages Act lays down the bare monthly remuneration for skilled and unskilled workers which varies across states. However, adherence to the Act is not compulsory.
In West Bengal, the law is applicable to most of the industrial sectors excluding agriculture and agro industries.
Alam also said the trade union forum was demanding reopening of the seven closed tea gardens in Cooch Behar and Darjeeling in north Bengal, which traditionally has been the centre of tea cultivation.
"When the tea industry is booming and the government is earning huge revenue from it, seven tea gardens of the total 270 in the state are closed. This is affecting many workers. For the past three years, neither the state government nor the centre has made any stride to reopen them," he said.
Alam said at least Rs.5,000 crore goes to the state and central governments from tea export-related taxes.
The state provides a grant of Rs.1,500 each month to workers of closed tea gardens. The figure has remained stagnant since 2010-11.
During 2012-13, the financial aid -- christened Financial Assistance to the Workers in Locked Out Industrial Units -- was extended to 19,393 labourers across 208 shut units. The total sum paid was Rs.34.98 crore.
The trade union leader said it becomes impossible for workers to sustain their family and livelihood with just Rs.1,500 in hand and it needs to be increased.
"We have asked the (state) government to look into it during the upcoming budget", he said.
Shah Rukh Khan's OTT Debut With Son Aryan Khan? Said - something is going to happen
Fans have been asking for the answer to this question when Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan wil
North Korea successfully test-fires two long-range strategic cruise missiles. It is claimed that
Distance between Nepal and India disappears, but China can again spoil the relationship
The neighboring country Nepal, which came under the guise of China, now wants to improve its rela
Petrol and diesel prices have increased again today by the oil companies. While the price of petr
Wheat Price in Haryana: After the ban on the export of wheat by the central government, its price
By defeating South Africa in the 37th match of the World Cup 2023, India has registered its eight
March 22, 1912, is the important date in history on which Bihar was born as a state. Between 1911
An allegation has been filed against the makers of South actress Nayanthara's film 'Annapurnani'
PM Modi Congratulates Ranil Wickremesinghe: Prime Minister Narendra Modi (PM Modi) congratulated
new Delhi. The spot market for precious metals has been closed due to the lockdown imposed to pre
