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.
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