Labourers in over 20 tea gardens in the Dooars worked free on
Sunday, a holiday, to express their solidarity with companies which
were in financial crisis because of the Covid-19-induced lockdown.
“In
recent weeks, this is the second time that workers have extended such
free service on a holiday. Earlier, when gardens were closed on account
of Buddha Purnima, labourers on at least 10 tea estates worked without
wages,” said a tea planter.
On Saturday, workers of 20-odd gardens
had approached the managerial staff and informed them that they would
join their duties on Sunday, both in plantations and factories.
“Some
of the managers were surprised as the workers made it clear that they
would provide service without a day’s wage. It is good to see that these
people have tried to contribute in their own way during the current
economic crisis,” said Sanjoy Baghi, secretary, Dooars Branch of Indian
Tea Association.
The gardens are located in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts.
“The
workers provided free service which would surely help tea companies as
they could save a day’s wages. We also appreciate them because they have
been consistently maintaining social distancing, wearing masks and
gloves and guarding entry points in the gardens to stop outsiders,” said
Asif Hussain, the manager of Damdim tea estate in the Malbazar
subdivision of Jalpaiguri.
Bengal tourism minister Gautam Deb, who
is also the chairman of the Trinamul Congress’s core committee in three
north Bengal districts, has written to chief secretary Rajiva Sinha,
mentioning tea planters’ demand to allow 50 per cent labourers to work
at a time.
“We have elaborated on the issue and hope the state would take a decision on the issue,” said minister Deb.
https://www.telegraphindia.com
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