Parts of Darjeeling in West Bengal witnessed a complete shutdown on Monday as tea garden workers staged a 12-hour strike, demanding a 20% bonus. The strike, called by the Tea Workers Protection Committee (Chiya Shramik Suraksha Samiti), brought the city to a standstill, halting transportation and disrupting daily activities across the region.
Strike and Its Impact
The strike began at 6 AM and continued until the evening, with protesters blocking the National Highway and locking vehicles at several points, including Kurseong and Sukna. Emergency services and tourists were allowed to pass, but daily life and economic activities were heavily disrupted.
Trade union leaders representing the tea workers under the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) have been firm on their demand for a 20% bonus. However, authorities and planters in the region have expressed their inability to meet this demand, citing financial constraints.
Bonus Negotiations and Government Response
Recently, the Tea Association of India announced that tea garden workers in the Dooars and Terai regions of north Bengal would receive a 16% bonus for the fiscal year 2023-24. However, this offer has been rejected by the tea workers in Darjeeling, who insist on a 20% bonus.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has refused to intervene in the dispute, labeling the strike as 'politically motivated.' She stated that the Labour Commission would resolve the issue, emphasizing that the bonus matter had already been resolved by her government.
The labour unions have criticized the government's stance, arguing that the proposed 16% bonus does not adequately address the workers' concerns. They have accused the government of treating tea garden workers with a 'step-motherly attitude.'
Political Reactions and Support
Darjeeling MP Raju Bista has urged Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to intervene in the bonus dispute, highlighting the plight of the tea workers. The Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) has also expressed solidarity with the tea workers, though they have not explicitly supported the strike.
The ongoing dispute has highlighted the long-standing issues in the tea industry, including the difficulty in negotiating bonuses and the financial stress faced by tea gardens. The situation remains tense as the workers continue to demand a fair bonus.
