Tea garden-closed in Dooars due to labour, management disputes

Siliguri, July 19 (UNI) Another tea estate in Dooars, New Glencoe Tea Garden, has been closed down after management and labour unions disputes over wages that rendered about 700 workers jobless.

The management yesterday put a notice at the central gate of the garden declaring suspension of work till further order.

The managment also submitted a notice to Malbazar police station citing risk of its managerial staff from the violent workers.

The tea garden is situated at Malbazar in Jalpaiguri, home of major liquoring tea growing district of West Bengal.

New Glencoe manager U C Chanda told UNI that the garden was afflicted by the workers' unrest since last two days for non-payment of Provident Fund dues. He, however, claimed the management had already paid the entire payable amount to the workers and the government.

''All the dues to the workers have been cleared up till date date. But the PF is suffering from some crisis that is looked after,'' said Mr Chanda. He said the management was hopeful to be able to deposit the PF dues shortly.

The garden is having more than 700 workers.

UNI