Jay Birpara Tea Garden Closure Raises Concerns Over Bonus and Wage Arrears

Alipurduar: Operations at Jay Birpara Tea Garden in the Madarihat block of West Bengal's Alipurduar district were reportedly disrupted on Saturday evening following a dispute over outstanding wages and bonus payments. Around 630 workers are facing uncertainty ahead of Durga Puja, according to the report.

Workers said wages for two fortnights and 5% of the previous year's bonus remained unpaid. They are demanding the settlement of their arrears and payment of this year's 20% bonus in full rather than in instalments. The workers have expressed reluctance to accept another payment schedule without a clear resolution of the outstanding dues.

Management and workers offer different accounts

Estate owner Raja Bhattacharjee claimed that three female employees attempted to set the senior manager on fire, forcing him to leave the garden. This allegation has not been independently verified and should be assessed by the relevant authorities.

Management reportedly said it was prepared to clear outstanding wages and the previous year's bonus, along with a portion of this year's bonus. However, it maintained that the current year's 20% bonus could not be paid in a single instalment. Workers and union representatives disputed the management's position.

Sabin Thapa, general secretary of the Bharatiya Tea Workers Union, criticised the management and alleged that leaving the garden was an attempt to avoid paying outstanding wages and the bonus. These claims reflect the union's position and have not been independently established.

Tripartite meeting fails to resolve dispute

Workers staged a protest outside the Assistant Labour Commissioner's office in Birpara on Saturday morning. Workers from Dalmore, Dimdima and Tasati tea gardens also gathered there to oppose proposals for paying bonuses in instalments.

According to a labour department representative, management did not attend a tripartite meeting called by the Assistant Labour Commissioner on Saturday, preventing a resolution of the Jay Birpara dispute. At a meeting held on October 14 at Dooars Kanya, the administrative centre of Alipurduar district, management had reportedly committed to paying wages due for two fortnights. However, no agreement was reached on bonus payments.

A labour department official said the department could not oppose instalment payments if both management and workers agreed to the arrangement.

Workers plan further meeting

Workers have announced a gate meeting outside the garden office on Monday to discuss their next steps. They reiterated that they would not accept the bonus in instalments. Another meeting involving management, trade unions and labour department representatives is expected on Tuesday in an effort to resolve the dispute.

The status of garden operations, the payment of outstanding dues and the outcome of the proposed meetings remain key issues for workers. Official confirmation of the reported closure and the allegations surrounding the senior manager is needed for a complete account of the incident.