Will not be paid without working: SC to Assam tea estate workers

The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the tea estate workers in Assam to withdraw their plea who sought payment of wages without work.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court bench led by Justice NV Ramana asked the workers at tea estates in Assam to withdraw their plea who sought payment of wages without work. Justice Ramana said that some workers have been allowed to work and if they don't then they won't be paid.

Senior Advocate Salman Khurshid contended, on behalf of a social activist working in the tea estate, that tea has 4 harvest seasons, the workers would miss only one harvest and the tea board itself says that they can make up profit in the next season.

Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul said that there are people wanting to work and you are in a reverse situation where you don't want to work but get paid. I don't know what the situation in West Bengal is but I don't see you can get payment without working, added Kaul.

Further Justice Kaul asked Khurshid to withdraw the petition saying that workers can not earn without working.

Also, read:SC refuses to pass directions for changing guidelines on COVID-19 treatment