Bagdogra, 26th February: On Monday, the Tirhana Tea Estate of Bagdogra reopened after the tripartite meeting. The workers of the tea estate were elated as the garden reopened after 108 days.
It has to be noted that the Tirhana Tea Estate located in Bagdogra has been closed since November 10 due to the issue of bonus provision. The tea estate management had put up a lockout notice and shut the tea estate. As a result, the workers demonstrated several road blockades and protests demanding bonuses and salaries. Subsequently, after a tripartite meeting on February 24, the tea estate reopened on Monday.
Reportedly, the majority of the workers are dissatisfied with the tea garden’s reopening as the workers would receive the payment of bonus and wages after a month. Furthermore, the workers are disappointed with receiving an 18% bonus.
In this regard, the senior manager of the tea estate indicated that the workers’ overdue bonuses and wages would be paid in two installments in the following days, prompting the tea plantation to reopen. Meanwhile, members of the labour union conveyed a message of cooperation with the goal of returning the tea estate to normalcy.