ULFA accuses tea companies of not paying tea bonus

Guwahati, Sep 19 (UNI) Proscribed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has castigated tea companies for not paying bonus to tea workers in Asom at uniform rate of 20 per cent.

In an article published in the latest issue of its mouthpiece, 'Freedom', the militant organisation, which is often accused by security forces of extorting heavily from tea companies, alleged that tea companies were into the habit of paying bonus to tea workers at rates lesser than 20 per cent on one pretext or other.

''The attitude of foreign capitalist groups in paying bonus to workers has created unrest in tea gardens of Asom. In states of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal tea workers get 20 per cent bonus besides other facilities. But for tea labourers in Asom it is difficult even to get bonus at rates of 10 to 15 per cent,'' the ULFA said.

The insurgent group pointed out that tea companies, especially big ones, had failed to reciprocate the contribution of tea workers towards the benefits of the industry.

''What is the reason behind inability on part of major tea companies to pay bonus to tea workers at the rate of 20 per cent?'' the militant group questioned.

The militant group stated that reasons like high transportation cost, low prices of tea in the market etc as cited by tea companies could not be reasons for low rate of bonus given to tea workers.

The tea workers, who have by and large remained indifferent to insurgency situation in the state, hardly form a support base for the banned ULFA.

The rate of bonus is decided through bi-lateral negotiation between tea workers' union and tea garden management while the state government remains a watch dog.

UNI XC JYN RN1938