Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS), the tea workers union in Assam, has demanded a minimum wage of Rs 351 per day for the tea workers in small tea gardens.
Sangha president Paban Singh Ghatowar, flayed the Assam Government for its failure to fix minimum wages for workers of small tea gardens in the state, who are ‘being exploited’. Ghatowar said that there are over six lakh workers in such tea gardens, where the working conditions are also very poor. A decision to launch an agitation for the implementation of an 11-point charter of demands, was held on February 6. The ACMS had decided to organise a protest march to Dispur, but has been denied permission, Ghatowar told journalists.
The union leader came down heavily on Assam Tea Company, for its “failure to give Provident Fund benefits’ to its workers. According to him Assam Tea Company has 25,000 workers employed in its 14 tea gardens and the working conditions in these tea gardens is poor.
Beginning today, the tea workers will protest in every unit, in support of their demands.
Ironically, Prime Minster Narendra Modi, who was in Assam three days ago had stated in his speech that he links the condition of the tea workers to the development of Assam. "But documents have emerged to show that a conspiracy has been hatched outside the country to defame Indian tea. I am sure the tea workers from Assam will give a befitting reply to these forces," he said in a passing remark.