Tea garden workers unite, launch sit-in over unpaid wages, PF defaults

Workers of several tea gardens operated by the Merico Group on Monday began a sit-in protest in front of the office of the Assistant Labour Commissioner at Birpara in Alipurduar district, alleging prolonged non-payment of wages and widespread violations of labour laws.

The Merico Group, which ‘took over’ the estates from the Duncan Group, has allegedly failed to pay wages for the past six to eight fortnights, that is three to four months. Workers claimed that while provident fund (EPF) contributions are regularly deducted from their wages, the amounts have not been deposited with the EPF authorities. The employer’s statutory share of the EPF has also allegedly remained unpaid since May 2023.

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“Elderly and ailing workers are being denied gratuity and are instead being forced to work on a voucher basis. No permanent workers are being recruited to replace those who have retired or died,” the agitating workers said.

Trade union leaders supporting the protest alleged that the management is not only exploiting workers but also systematically running down the tea gardens. Machinery has allegedly been sold off, shade trees cut and sold as logs, and no fresh saplings planted to fill vacant areas. As a result, productivity has sharply declined and the overall value of the estates is steadily eroding, they claimed.

Although complaints have been lodged with the concerned authorities, workers alleged that no effective action has followed.

At present, Birpara, Dimdima, Hantapara, Dumchipara, Garganda, Tulsipara, Bandapani, Kilcott, Bagracote, Nagaisuree and Rangle Rangloit tea gardens are being operated by that Group. A total of 10,842 permanent workers and around 15,000 contractual workers, engaged over nearly 15,000 bighas, are said to be facing acute distress due to non-payment of wages.

Senior trade union leader Anuradha Talwar said Merico has never obtained formal ownership of the gardens it operates. According to her, the company took possession of the estates and began operations on the basis of bipartite agreements signed between operating trade unions affiliated to major political parties and the management. “These agreements were executed in the presence of labour department officials, but the department never affixed its official seal or signature. Strictly in legal terms, Merico cannot be considered the owner of these gardens,” Talwar said.

She further pointed out that despite operating the gardens for four to seven years, the company has not been granted leases by the state government. “The management repeatedly claims it cannot secure bank loans due to the absence of a lease and therefore cannot pay wages. At the same time, it refuses to vacate the gardens, while the state government has failed to replace the operator. This points to a nexus involving sections of trade unions, political parties, the administration and the employer,” she alleged.

As on 10 December, pending wages stood at five fortnights for workers at Hantapara Tea Garden and four months for staff and sub-staff; six fortnights and five months respectively at Bandapani; seven fortnights and four months at Tulsipara; five fortnights and two months at Birpara; seven fortnights and seven months at Garganda; five fortnights and three months at Bagracote; and six fortnights and four months at Dumchipara. After the agitation began, Bagracote reportedly received wages for four fortnights, while other gardens received payment for only one fortnight.

Data from the Jalpaiguri Regional Provident Fund Office, based on information provided by the PF Commissioner-II on 16 July indicates massive EPF defaults across the gardens, running into several crores of rupees. Workers alleged that PF deductions have not been deposited since 2023 in all the gardens, amounting to an estimated misappropriation of nearly Rs 25 crore, calculated on an average monthly contribution of Rs 750 per worker.

The workers further alleged that gratuity payments have virtually stopped since the Merico Group took over the gardens, while the replacement of permanent workers has almost ceased. Instead, ageing and unwell workers are being compelled to continue working under a voucher system, allegedly in violation of the Plantation Labour Act, 1951.