Wage hike for tea garden workers in North Bengal

Siliguri, July 24 (UNI) The wages of small tea garden workers in North Bengal was increased after a bipartite meeting yesterday.

A Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) has been signed by North Bengal Small Tea planter's Association (NBSTPA) and CITU affiliated Darjeeling Zila Hia Kaman Mazdoor Union.

Secretary of NBSTPA Ntai Mazumdar told UNI that the MoU had been signed for the next three years.

Mr Mazumdar said the new wage system will be effective from April 1, 2006 and the outstanding amount will be paid to the workers soon.

According to the MoU, the workers will get Rs 45 per day for the ongoing financial year. It was Rs 42 per day earlier.

He said wages will increase in the next two financial years, 2007-08 and 2008-09 to Rs 48 and Rs 51.50 per day respectively.

UNI XC SP RL HS1537