Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha hails interim hike in wage of tea workers

 STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The ACMS (Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha) has welcomed the State Government’s decision to increase the minimum daily wage for tea plantation workers by Rs 18 in both the Brahmaputra and the Barak Valleys as an interim hike. The ACMS, however, sticks to its plea for a hike in the daily wage of tea workers to Rs 351 in the final wage fixation.

Speaking to The Sentinel, ACMS general secretary Rupesh Gowala said, “It is the third such interim hike in the daily minimum wage of plantations during the term of the present dispensation at Dispur. With the interim hike of Rs 18 in both valleys, the minimum daily wage of a tea worker stands at Rs 250 in the Brahmaputra Valley and Rs 228 in the Barak Valley. Earlier, the daily wage was Rs 232 in the Brahmaputra Valley and Rs 210 in the Barak Valley.”

Gowala further said, “The State Government had a proposal to fix the minimum daily wage of tea plantation workers at Rs 351. We also have a plea to the government to fix the minimum daily wage of tea plantation workers at Rs 351. We hope the government will take the proper decision at the proper time.”

On bonus before the Durga Puja, Gowala said, “Some of the gardens have reached consensus with their workers. However, many of the gardens have yet to make their final decisions. We hope that the picture will be clear within seven to ten days.” The Durga Puja is from October 20 to 24 this year. The State Government has already sent letters to the tea estate managements for the payment of bonuses before the Durga Puja.

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