Jalpaiguri (West Bengal): Tea gardens in West Bengal were closed for a long time due to lockdown. But nowadays, it is slowly turning to a regular rhythm. In the meantime, their is some good news for tea workers. Puja bonus will be given to the workers at a rate of 20 percent.
The tea gardens have suffered a huge financial blow in the lockdown. Still, Pujo bonus will be given at the rate of 20 percent in A, B and C category gardens.
On 15 September there was a bilateral meeting on the topic of bonus. Discussions on bonus at the first meeting were not fruitful. On the 18th, the owners of the tea garden and the leaders of the tea workers' organization again sat down for another virtual meeting. Discussions were held on the bonus to North Bengal tea workers. It was then decided that all A, B and C category tea garden workers would be given a bonus at the rate of 20 per cent.
There are 151 tea gardens in Dooars of North Bengal. There are 42 tea gardens in Terai. There are 86 tea gardens in the hills of Darjeeling. There are also some tea gardens in North Dinajpur and Koch Bihar.
Last year the bonus was 18.5 percent. This year it has increased to 20 percent. About 4 lakh permanent and temporary workers of 300 tea gardens will get a bonus. A total bonus of Rs 450-500 crore will be given. Permanent workers will get 10-12 thousand rupees.
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"We are very happy this time. The owners are giving us more bonus. We thought we would not get bonus in lockdown. But now we are getting more bonus. This time we are getting 20 per cent bonus. I feel better. We are working harder . " said Durgi Orao, a tea garden worker in Jalpaiguri.
Another worker, Minu Roy, said, "The bonus is very good. The workers are very happy. I thought we would not get bonus in lockdown. We did not think we would get money in lockdown. But I am surprised, they are giving more bonus. "
Sanu Hossain, Chowkidar of the tea garden, said, "This time they are giving more bonus than last time. The tea garden has suffered a lot in the lockdown. However, this time we are getting 20 percent bonus. We are getting more bonus than last time. We are very happy with the initiative of tea garden owners."
Jeevan Chandra Pandey, Senior Manager, Denguajhar Tea Garden, said, "Workers in all A, B and C categories of tea gardens are being given a bonus of 20 per cent this time. Everyone is happy and the management is happy too. In the last few years, 20 per cent bonus has not been given to all categories of tea gardens. "
Alipurduar BJP MP John Barla said, "After a long time, tea workers are getting a bonus of 20 per cent. It is a matter of great happiness. This time a month ago, in a virtual meeting, the workers and employers discussed the tea workers' bonus. With this initiative, workers will be encouraged to work too."
