Govt mulls monthly allowance for closed tea garden workers

Govt mulls monthly allowance for closed tea garden workers

18 January 2012

statesman news service

SILIGURI, 18 JAN: After the death of six tea workers allegedly due to starvation, the state labour department has decided to provide financial assistance to all 484 permanent tea workers of the closed Dheklapara Tea Estate on a monthly basis.

Earlier, the payment used to be made on a quarterly basis. The state government gives  the Financial Assistance to Workers of Locked-out Industries (FAWLOI) of Rs 1,500 for each permanent worker.

The decision was taken following a report, which was submitted today by the additional labour commissioner, Mr Pashupati Ghosh. Mr Ghosh had visited the tea estate on 16 January. Administrative sources said the state labour department, considering the plight of the jobless tea workers, had planned to take action against the planters of the closed tea plantations, based on the Tea Act 1953, in connection with tea (marketing) control, creation of encumbrance or diversion of funds and other financial irregularities, following recommendations of departmental officials.

The labour commissioner today approved the proposal to provide FAWLOI to the next of kin of the four victims of the closed tea plantation at Dekhlapara in Alipurduar. The state labour department today confirmed that of the four permanent tea workers, who had rendered jobless and died owing to prolonged diseases and malnourishment, used to get the FAWLOI from the state government.

Notably, six tea workers died there over the past few months, one of the administrative officials said. The workers, whose families will receive financial aid, have been identified as Shil Tanti (53), Bijoy Tanti (35), Rangia Khera (50) and Pradhan Tanti (45). The FAWLOI would be given to the next of kin of the four victims up to the age of 58 (age of retirement) of the deceased.

“The district officials of our department will prepare document on spot so that the family members can receive the financial assistance as early as possible,” said the additional labour commissioner.

The state labour department’s records show that a total of 602 workers were associated with the Dhelkapara Tea Estate when it was closed. When the labour department had sought applications from the jobless tea workers a few years ago, a total of 493 workers were listed as beneficiaries. As of today a total of 484 permanent workers are receiving the FAWLOI. Of them four workers have died.

The causal tea workers in tea plantations are not entitled to claim the FAWLOI. In north Bengal, out of seven closed tea plantations, permanent tea workers associated with three gardens receive the FAWLOI.

The three closed tea plantations are Ringtone Tea Estate and Kanchen View Tea Estate in the Hills and Dheklapara Tea Estate in Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri. According to the labour department, four others ~ Panighata Tea Estate in the Terai, Dalsingpara Tea Estate, Dalmore Tea Estate and Turturi Tea Estate in the Dooars ~ have been closed recently due to litigation and conflict between the management and labour unions.