Jalpaiguri, 05th November: Amarpur Tea Estate in Jalpaiguri has been shut down following workers’ protests demanding payment of the pending Durga Puja bonus. The sudden closure has left around 300 workers and their families facing uncertainty ahead of Diwali.
On Thursday morning, workers arrived at the tea estate to find the main gate locked, with a notice announcing the suspension of work displayed at the entrance.
According to the workers, they had been demanding the full 20% Puja bonus as stipulated by the government. Following discussions with the Labour Department, the management had paid 13.80% bonus before Durga Puja and had reportedly assured workers that the remaining 6.20% would be cleared before Diwali.
However, as the pending amount was not paid within the stipulated time, workers had been continuing their protest over the past few days.
The workers expressed concern over the sudden closure, stating that the unpaid bonus and suspension of work during the festive season would make it difficult for them to run their households.
Following the closure, the workers have decided to approach the Labour Department, the District Magistrate and the Chief Minister, demanding the immediate reopening of the tea estate.
