Suspension of work declared in 145 tea gardens

Siliguri, Aug 6 (UNI) North Bengal Small Tea Planters's Association (NBSTPA) today declared suspension of work in 145 small tea gardens in North Dinajpur.

NBSTPA secretary Netai Majumdar said several meetings had taken place between the planters and workers since July 7. However, the CITU-affiliated West Dinajpr Cha Bagicha Shramik Union and NUPW (National Union of Plantation Workers) had started agitations from July 24 to increase their wages.

Every worker is plucking only eight to ten kgs of tea leaves instead of 35 to 40 kgs as part of the agitation.

Mr Majumdar said, ''The owners cannot suddenly decrease the wages of workers because they own small tea gardens.'' CITU North Dinajpur Secretary Subir Biswas said if the owners take adverse decisions, our agitation will continue.

UNI XC SP SS1014