32 tea plantation TUs to attend tripartite talks

32 tea plantation TUs to attend tripartite talks

29 August 2011

statesman news service
SILIGURI, 29 AUG: More than 32-trade unions associated with tea plantations in the Terai-Dooars today decided to take part in the tripartite talks, which is scheduled to be held in Kolkata on 4 September.
The trade union leaders, who had boycotted yesterday's tripartite talks, held a convention in Siliguri today and they decided to join the tripartite talks demanding wage hike, bonus and variable dearness allowance for tea workers.
The trade union leaders also threatened to go on a strike after Durga Puja  if the state fails not settle the wage-hike issue immediately.
In order to resolve the ongoing stalemate in tea plantations demanding a fresh wage agreement for tea workers, the state labour department convened next tripartite talks on 4 September when yesterday's tripartite talks were inclusive owing to the absence of major trade union leaders, who have been operating in the tea plantations in this region.
A total of 26 trade union leaders boycotted yesterday's talks. Only a few trade union leaders, backed by the Adivasi Vikas Parishad, Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha and Trinamul Congress, were present. The Darjeeling district Intuc president, Mr Alok Chakrborty, attended the meeting yesterday and explained the reasons behind the boycott.
Addressing the convention, the trade union leaders today criticised the state government's role and described its sudden decision to call tripartite talks on 28 August a “dirty game”.
They also claimed the state government was encouraging a group, working here for “vested” interests in connivance with a section of planters to dismantle tea workers’ unity.
A section of planters have been able to break tea workers’ unity in the Hills and now they are trying to implement their plan in the Terai and the Dooars with the help of a few trade unions.
The leaders also criticised the chief minister, Miss Mamata Banerjee's decision to curb the strike, a part of workers’ movement, and adopted resolution that the tea workers would go on strike if situation demands.
The convenor, Defence Committee for Plantation Workers’ Rights, Mr Samir Roy said: “ The state government would have to look into the plight of tea workers and settled a fresh wage agreement including introduction of variable dearness allowance (VDA). If the state government fails to resolve tea workers’ problem we would go on more vigorous movement after Durga Puja festival.”
The convenor, Co-ordination Committee of Tea Plantation Workers, Mr Chitta Dey said: “ Convention today demanded more bonus and ex gratia for tea plantation workers than the rate of last accounting year. The planters would have to pay bonus at least three weeks before the Durga Puja. The planters would have to take decision on it within first week of September.”
According to the trade union leaders, tea plantation workers would stage demonstration and take out rally demanding wage hike, bonus and VDA on 2 September in all tea plantations and serve deputation to their respective employers.
On the other hand, trade unions jointly organise demonstration and convention and would serve deputations to the respective planters’ associations, administrative officials including assistant labour commissioner, the sub divisional officer and district magistrate in their respective areas.
The trade unions have also planned to meet labour commissioner and the chief minister Miss Mamata Banerjee at the last stage of their movement.

GJMM leaders to review GTA Bill
Senior GJMM leaders, including the general secretary, Mr Roshan Giri, will leave for Kolkata tomorrow to review the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Bill. “The copies of the Bill have been circulated among the Assembly members today. The GJMM general secretary will leave for Kolkata tomorrow. He will discuss the nitty gritty of the Bill with the state government officials before it is placed in the House on 2 September,” informed the Kalimpong MLA and the party media secretary, Dr Harkha Bahadur Chettri, over phone from Kolkata today.
Earlier, the GJMM leadership was skeptic as to whether the Bill would be tabled in the state Assembly during the monsoon session.  A few days back, the GJMM president, Mr Bimal Gurung threatened to revive the Gorkhaland demand unless the Bill was tabled in the House in course of the current session.   Mr Giri today looked contended with the copies of the Bills having been distributed among the MLAs. “We would, however, go through the contents of the Bill thoroughly before it is placed in the house. My party is happy that the state government has taken initiatives on the matter,” he said.
Dr Chettri stated that the Business Advisory Committee had held a meeting after the bill was distributed among the members of the Assembly. “It was decided that one and a half hour would be allotted for discussion on the GTA Bill on 2 September,” he said.