Mon Dec 09 21:30:00 UTC 2024: **West Bengal Tea Workers Demand Government Enforce New Abandoned Garden SOP**

KOLKATA, INDIA (December 10, 2024) – The Paschim Banga Cha Majoor Samity (PBCMS), a tea garden workers’ union in West Bengal, is demanding the state government fully implement its newly-introduced standard operating procedure (SOP) for abandoned tea gardens. The SOP, enacted in November, outlines conditions for companies taking over abandoned gardens, including settling outstanding worker dues.

The union claims that despite the SOP, numerous issues persist, including significant wage delays, non-payment of wages, and lack of provident fund (PF) contributions. The PBCMS cited cases of hunger-related deaths in some gardens due to financial hardship among workers and their families. They highlighted the plight of retired workers, many of whom are deprived of gratuity and other statutory benefits.

Union president Kirsen Kharia criticized garden operators, particularly one company managing over a dozen gardens, for allegedly worsening worker conditions. A PBCMS press statement revealed that of 30 tea gardens examined, only four had made complete PF deposits by September 2024, leaving thousands of workers vulnerable. The union also alleged fraudulent practices, including the misappropriation of PF funds using false death certificates.

Anuradha Talwar, chief advisor to the union, stated that the workers simply want the government to adhere to its own SOP. The PBCMS met with the State Labour Commissioner to urge enforcement of the regulations. The union estimates that approximately 25 tea gardens in North Bengal’s Terai and Dooars regions are currently abandoned.

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