ACKS decries withdrawal of pension benefits of employees of Mahakali TE

TINSUKIA: The Assam Chah Karmachari Sangha (ACKS) has strongly resented the sudden withdrawal of pension benefits payable to clerical, medical and technical employees of Mahakali Tea Estate of the erstwhile Macneill & Magor Limited by the present management of Luxmi Tea Company Pvt Ltd w.e.f September 15, 2020 in alleged contravention of the bipartite agreement between ACKS and Macneill & Magor and McLeod Russell held on 11.5.1990.

Rishav Kalita, secretary of ACKS Tingri branch, while vehemently opposing the unilateral decision of Luxmi Tea Company, contended that the notice served by the company was unethical and was against the spirit of the agreement pertaining to Assam Staff Retirement Scheme and violated the provision of the Industrial Dispute Act, 1947 and so also the recommendation of the Central Wage Board for plantation industry cited in para 4.50.

Kalita said that six major tea companies- George Willamson (Assam), Bishnuath Tea Co, Namdang Tea Co, Macneill & Magor Ltd, McLeod Russel (India) and Makum Tea Co. (India) Ltd - having total 47 gardens, agreed to abide by the Agreement that was made into effect from 1.1.1990 and continued the scheme without any alteration. Some gardens were sold to other companies with exception to Mahakali TE which was bought by Luxmi Tea Company Pvt Ltd from Macneill & Magor Limited in 2019.

ACKS has brought the issue before the Assistant Labour Commissioner, Tinsukia and also sought immediate intervention of the Minister of State for Labour and Tea Tribe Welfare.

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