The additional labour commissioner (ALC) for North Bengal, Partha Biswas, on Friday issued an advisory to the managements of tea plantations across Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong, Terai and Dooars, directing payment of 20 per cent bonus to workers for the financial year 2024–2025.
Amid ongoing protests by a section of tea workers in Darjeeling Hills, who have halted plucking of green leaves over pending bonus payments, labour minister Moloy Ghatak has stepped in to resolve the crisis. He has called for a meeting on 3 April in Siliguri to address the issue.
Justice Bhat, who is a former judge of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir & Ladakh, called on the Lt. Governor and submitted the report to him.
After the fifth round of tripartite talks on the bonus issue ended without an agreement, the labour department has issued an advisory for tea garden workers in Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong hills.
