Siliguri, 23rd September: Raimatang and Kalchini tea gardens have been closed for the past one year due to several problems between the owners and their employees.
Every year, problems occur between the workers and the owners concerning the bonus of the tea garden workers. The members of the workers’ organizations of different parties alleged that the tea gardens are deliberately shutting down to avoid handing out bonus to the tea labourers.
It has been learned that problems arose in the Raimatang and Kalchini tea gardens concerning the dues. The gardens were closed immediately after Kali Puja last year due to a dispute between the owners and the workers. Although the owners have expressed their desire to reopen the gardens now, the workers disapproved of the decision.
According to the workers, the gardens cannot be opened until the pending wages are paid. However, the workers, owners, and various labour organizations held a meeting at the Dagapur labour office under the initiative of the labour officials to reopen the tea gardens before Durga Puja.
Leaders of 4 political organizations were present during the meeting. Labour leader Rajesh Barla stated that the tea garden should be reopened only after paying the dues of the labourers. They also urged to keep the garden open all year-round.