Darjeeling, 02nd October: The tea plantation authorities have reportedly not conceded to the workers’ demand for a 20 percent bonus. With Durga Puja just a week away, the bonus demands of tea garden workers in the hills remain unmet.
Earlier, on Monday, the joint forum of labor unions called for a strike in Darjeeling in response to the non-payment of the requested bonus.
On Tuesday, discussions resumed at Shramik Bhawan in Siliguri, but no resolution was reached. The tea garden owners offered a 16 percent bonus, falling short of the workers’ demands.
In protest, a procession was organized in Darjeeling on Wednesday morning, starting from Darjeeling station and concluding at Chowk Bazar. Rallies were also held at Chowk Bazar, and the workers announced that the agitation would continue until their demands were met.
Leaders and workers from various parties, including CITU and the Hamro Party, participated in the march. Along with the procession, rallies and protest programs took place throughout the streets of Darjeeling.