Siliguri, 12th March: The Uttar Banga Chai Shramik Sangathan held a press conference in Siliguri and expressed outrage as the demands of the tea workers have not yet been fulfilled.
The Paschim Banga Khet Majoor Samiti, Dooars Terai Mahila Welfare Society, and the Dooars Yuva Sangathan joined a movement under the initiative of Uttar Banga Chai Shramik Sangathan demanding fair wages and land lease. They commenced a road march from Kalchini on March 05 and reached Siliguri today. During their journey, they met the workers of 60 tea gardens.
Arriving in Siliguri today, Uttar Bangal Chai Shramik Sangathan President Christian Kharia and General Secretary Shashi Sunar attended the said press conference and expressed outrage over several issues.
General Secretary Shashi Sunar said that even though tea workers have been living in different tea gardens for over a century, they are deprived of land rights and government services. Having the right only to vote, the tea labourers consider themselves as ‘voting machines’.